DailyDot Etsy Feedhttp://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/Recent Etsy articles from Daily Doten-usTue, 21 Jul 2015 16:45:27 +0000Portland sex workers are setting the record straight with a new magazinehttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/portland-sex-worker-zine-working-it/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/d7/2e/d72e970847a653f19bbfe6cd89ff5424.jpg'></p>
In Portland, sex workers run the show. And now, they're running a magazine.<p>The City of Roses is not only famous for having the most strip clubs per capita in the U.S., but it's also the only American city in which strippers literally make the rules. Last fall, a coalition of dancers from the city's approximately 100 titty bars worked with lobbyists and social workers to write <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/06/oregon-s-stripper-lobby-legislators-ask-exotic-dancers-for-help-with-strip-club-bill.html">safety legislation</a> for independent entertainers.</p><p>Now, Portland sex workers of all kinds are banding together to publish a magazine. What started out in December as an old-school cut and paste 'zine called <em>SW News</em> has blossomed into a colorful rag titled <em>Working It—</em>available on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WorkingItPDX?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy</a>,&nbsp;with a soon-to-launch website offering health, legal, and harm reduction resources to the Northwest sex worker community.</p><p>Sitting in the editor's chair is Portland native Matilda "Red" Bickers, a 30-year-old longtime exotic dancer who made national news last year when she and coworker Amy Pitts brought a <a href="http://www.wweek.com/portland/article-23812-the_devils_due_two_dancers_sue_strip_club_casa_diablo_for_unpaid_wages_and_harassment.html">lawsuit</a> against their primary place of business, notorious vegan strip club Casa Diablo.</p><p>"I've been doing different kinds of sex work off and on for the past twelve years," Bickers told the Daily Dot. She explained that 2014 was a game-changing year, between her lawsuit and working on the legislation effort with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nasw.oregon">National Association of Social Workers</a> (NASW). "It suddenly felt like the arid and apathetic climate of Portland's sex industry might be ripe for change."</p><p><em>Working It</em>&nbsp;is a compendium of all that makes the sex industry so fascinating, inside and out. Each issue features a recurring "worst tip ever" submitted by workers. (If you thought getting a fifty-cent tip as a waitress is bad, trying having a dirt-smudged coupon for a free McDonald's coffee tossed onto your stage, while a crowd stares deep into your vagina.)</p><p>While there's no shortage of sex worker blogs out there, a zine lends itself to the hours of downtime often available on the job to sex workers: in dressing rooms, dungeons, and brothels, there's a lot of time to read while waiting for clients to show up.</p><p>The jokes are what set it apart—"slut jokes are just whoreable," reads one comic caption—but the meat of the magazine is a serious focus on law enforcement, legislation, and the stigmas and struggles of everyday working girls.</p><p>"Not a lot of people are aware of how terrifying the situation is getting for all of us," said Bickers. "Full service sex workers (FSSW) are getting the worst of it right now, but the US is not the best place to be a sex worker and it's going to get worse before we can start to make it better."</p><p>She added: "We need active engagement and education <em>now</em>, and ways for people who love us and support us to get involved."</p><p>The Summer 2015 issue of <em>Working It</em>&nbsp;features detailed advice from a labor lawyer who explains the murky "independent contractor" designation that allows most American strip clubs to charge dancers hundreds of dollars a night in fees and fines just for the right to occupy the stage. Another article delves into background checks, and whether someone's sex worker status can be revealed through a simple check online.&nbsp;</p><p>The personal essays are the most revealing, and not in a titillating way. Rather than telling torrid tales of erotic encounters for cash, the majority address everyday difficulties, like whether or not to come out as a sex worker at school or a "day job."&nbsp;</p><p>One essay, written by a social work student named Katya, painfully retells what happened when she came out gleefully to her graduate school program at Lewis &amp; Clark College, only to be shut down in a way that surprised and traumatized her.</p><p>&nbsp;"It felt extremely important to me that I be 'out' in all ways, and I felt almost desperate to have a space in which I felt fully integrated and safe," wrote Katya in the Summer 2015 issue of <em>Working It.</em>&nbsp;"Ultimately and essentially, the chair of my department told me that I needed to choose between dancing and being a student in that program. She cited the code of ethics as a source of conflict, and also maintained that the program had to consider whether stripping led to further injustice in the world, and thus whether they could support a student who worked in the industry."</p><p>Bickers said that the typically poor media coverage of the industry was a major motivation to start the magazine, which recently secured a grant to build its upcoming website.</p><p>"A responsible media would acknowledge the interconnectedness of economics, poverty, a wretched and abusive foster care system, and the massive pay gap of misogyny which all play into low income or vulnerable people taking part in sex work," said Bickers. "They wouldn't be covering a poor kid in the Midwest as a trafficker, they would be looking at the way her family and the courts failed her and how she did what she had to do to survive."</p><p>Portland has long been unique as a city that supports its local sex workers. Local sex industry guide <em><a href="http://www.xmag.com/archives/23-01-jul15/index.html">Exotic</a></em>&nbsp;provides a <a href="http://www.xmag.com/archives/23-01-jul15/xmap/Images/xmag-clubs.jpg">map</a> to the city's nearly 200 adult businesses, the majority of which are strip clubs.&nbsp;</p><p>The city is also known for the unusual elements of the adult scene that set venues apart in a highly competitive atmosphere. From <a href="http://marysclub.com/">Mary's Club</a>, the Northwest's oldest strip club that's owned an operated by an all-women family, to the previously mentioned vegan club <a href="http://www.casadiablo.com/">Casa Diablo</a>, which bans leather and fur on its stage in addition to serving up veggie burgers, to popular destinations like <a href="http://www.sassysbar.com/">Sassy's</a> that draw as many female and queer customers as they do drooling males, there's something different about Portland's strip clubs.</p><p>And it's not just the pole dancers that provide an alternative: the city is also home to Ron Jeremy's famous swinger's joint <a href="http://www.clubsesso.com/">Club Sesso</a>, to topless fire dancers at rock venue <a href="http://www.danteslive.com/">Dante's</a>, and to a thriving burlesque community.&nbsp;</p><p>It makes sense, then, that Portland's new sex worker's rights publication would take punk rock zine form, and be sold both on Etsy and at the annual <a href="http://www.portlandzinesymposium.org/">Portland Zine Symposium</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>"A tangible product is awesome! You can pass it around, make notes, doodle, rip out and pin up the part you want to remember, leave it for someone else," Bickers said. "I'm old school. I love zines still."</p><p><strong>Update 2:00pm CT, July 22</strong>:&nbsp;Club Sesso is now <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/ron-jeremys-club-sesso-portland">closed</a>.</p><p><em>Photo via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinnador/7639841596/">Kristin Nador</a>/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) | Remix by Jason Reed</em></p>
maryemilyohara@gmail.com (Mary Emily O'Hara)Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:45:27 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/portland-sex-worker-zine-working-it/EtsyCultureLifestyle13 pieces of Etsy swag to help you mourn the Confederate flaghttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-confederate-flag-swag/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/11/db/11dbb6712947655d98e2e359b2bd3fed.jpg'></p>
It took the <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/charleston-shooting/">senseless massacre of nine innocent people</a> at a historic black church in South Carolina for the state's government to decide it might be time to remove the Confederate flag from the capitol grounds.<p>Gov. Nikki Haley <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/politics/south-carolina-confederate-flag-statehouse-nikki-haley/">called for the flag's removal</a> from the state capitol grounds on Monday, stating: "For good and for bad, whether it is on the statehouse grounds or in a museum, the flag will always be a part of the soil of South Carolina. But this is a moment in which we can say that that flag ... does not represent the future of our great state."</p><p>It might seem like a small gesture, but the flag is a powerful symbol of racial oppression, symbolizing the ideology that motivated 21-year-old <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/dylann-roof/">Dylann Roof</a> to open fire at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to Gov. Haley's statement, <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/walmart/">Walmart</a>&nbsp;has also announced its stores will <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/charleston-church-shooting/never-want-offend-walmart-pulls-confederate-merchandise-n380041">no longer sell</a>&nbsp;Confederate flag-themed merchandise. But if you're a racist, you can still show your support of the "symbol of a 150-year-old insurrection movement," as the Daily Dot's <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/politics/burning-confederate-flag-minecraft-meme/">Kevin Collier put it</a>, by purchasing some of this sweet, sweet Southern pride swag on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=confederate+flag&amp;page=1">Etsy</a>.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMjIvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0yM19hdF85LjQ4LjUzX0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkV0c3kiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXRzeS5jb20vbGlzdGluZy8yMjE2ODg5MDEvY29uZmVkZXJhdGUtZmxhZ3MtcmViZWwtZmxhZ3MtaGFuZC1ndWVzdD9nYV9vcmRlcj1tb3N0X3JlbGV2YW50JmdhX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFsbCZnYV92aWV3X3R5cGU9Z2FsbGVyeSZnYV9zZWFyY2hfcXVlcnk9Y29uZmVkZXJhdGUlMjBmbGFnJnJlZj1zcl9nYWxsZXJ5XzE4IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>Having company over? Lay out your best towels to ensure your guests know on which side of the Mason-Dixon line your loyalties lie.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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"></div>These salt and pepper shakers are literally the bomb.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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.."></div>Robert E. Lee would rock this case if he had an iPhone at the Battle of Antietam.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMjIvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0yM19hdF85LjQ3LjU1X0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkV0c3kiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXRzeS5jb20vbGlzdGluZy8xOTA3NzIwODIvY29uZmVkZXJhdGUtZmxhZy1mbGFzay1saXF1b3ItZmxhc2s_Z2Ffb3JkZXI9bW9zdF9yZWxldmFudCZnYV9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbGwmZ2Ffdmlld190eXBlPWdhbGxlcnkmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3F1ZXJ5PWNvbmZlZGVyYXRlJTIwZmxhZyZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV8zNSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>You might have to hide this flask under the table while you get drunk during Thanksgiving dinner, but you'd never hide your love for the Confederacy.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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"></div>Shelly and Clint want you to know two things: they are very much in love and they love the Confederacy.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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.."></div>Because you can't have the neighbors thinking your dog is a dirty&nbsp;<em>Yankee.</em><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMjIvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0yM19hdF85LjQ1LjI3X0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkV0c3kiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXRzeS5jb20vbGlzdGluZy8yMDE4NTAyNDgvY2hlZXItYm93LWNvbmZlZGVyYXRlLWZsYWc_Z2Ffb3JkZXI9bW9zdF9yZWxldmFudCZnYV9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbGwmZ2Ffdmlld190eXBlPWdhbGxlcnkmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3F1ZXJ5PWNvbmZlZGVyYXRlJTIwZmxhZyZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV8yOSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0." style="font-style: italic;"></div>"U-G-L-Y, you ain't got no alibi. You ugly. Yea, Yea, you ugly!"—the Confederacy to the Union.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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"></div>Probably not! But fun belt buckle.<br><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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.."></div>Ah, the rare Confederate hipster. He wraps his arms in tattoos and his heart in the flag.<br><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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."></div>Combine the current nail art trend with the 1860 Confederate flag trend, and you'll truly be the coolest girl in school.<br><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMjIvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0yM19hdF85LjQ4LjM3X0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkV0c3kiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXRzeS5jb20vbGlzdGluZy8xMDg1ODk5ODgvY29uZmVkZXJhdGUtZmxhZy1iaWtpbmktdG9wLWxlYXRoZXI_Z2Ffb3JkZXI9bW9zdF9yZWxldmFudCZnYV9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbGwmZ2Ffdmlld190eXBlPWdhbGxlcnkmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3F1ZXJ5PWNvbmZlZGVyYXRlJTIwZmxhZyZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV8xNSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Show me a better way to spend $225.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="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"></div>Too real.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMjIvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0yM19hdF85LjM5LjI0X0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkV0c3kiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXRzeS5jb20vbGlzdGluZy8yMTU2MDIzMzYvbGVlLXN1cnJlbmRlcmVkLWJ1dC1pLW5ldmVyLXdpbGw_Z2Ffb3JkZXI9bW9zdF9yZWxldmFudCZnYV9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbGwmZ2Ffdmlld190eXBlPWdhbGxlcnkmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3F1ZXJ5PWNvbmZlZGVyYXRlJTIwZmxhZyZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV8yOSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Saves you the time explaining to women at bars that you're a bonafide asshole.<p><strong>Update 2.23pm CT,&nbsp;June 23:</strong> The Daily Dot has learned that Etsy plans on banning all Confederate flag items. They sent a statement via email:</p><blockquote>Today, we are removing confederate flag items from our marketplace. Etsy’s <a href="https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4525" target="_blank">policies</a> prohibit items or listings that promote, support or glorify hatred and these items fall squarely into that category.<br><br> With each new application of our policies, we strive to strike the right balance between creative freedom, Etsy's values, and establishing a safe and respectful marketplace for members. The challenge of defining and eliminating offensive items raises deep and complex issues -- both philosophical and pragmatic -- which we at Etsy wrestle with regularly. We strive to think about our site holistically and determine what is best for the entire community.<br><br> Due to the nature of our platform, it is possible that a prohibited item may appear for sale on the site before our enforcement teams have a chance to remove it. Members are welcome to report these items to us; we have a timely review process for all reports.<br><br> You can find the list of other items that are prohibited on Etsy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4525" target="_blank">here</a>. We are continuously reviewing our policies to ensure they are in line with our values, and they will continue to evolve accordingly.&nbsp;</blockquote><p></p><p></p><p><em>Photo via <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/233270797/sweet-tea-set?ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_search_query=confederate%20flag&amp;ref=sr_gallery_19">Etsy</a></em></p>
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mkabas@dailydot.com (Marisa Kabas)Tue, 23 Jun 2015 15:20:42 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-confederate-flag-swag/EtsyLifestyle8 of the most bizarre, offensive bridal gifts on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-sexist-bridal-gifts/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/a3/3b/a33b736f9c3b0ddd7f7d546703d1cc8c.jpg'></p>
<p>You can buy some pretty ridiculous things on <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a>, like these&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lol/etsy-bird-dong-paintings/">NFSW bird paintings</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/iud-earrings-etsy/">IUD earrings</a>. But there's also a seemingly endless supply of sexist gifts to buy for a friend who’s getting married. </p><p>There’s much debate about whether or not women should take their husbands' names after they get married. But it’s one thing to change your last name. It’s quite another to celebrate the loss of your identity and enthusiastically take on the role of being a man's property.</p><p>Here are some of the most offensive gifts on Etsy that communicate that message loud and clear. Take note, brides: If anyone gives you these on your wedding day, your marriage is probably doomed.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlMi5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMjE1MTE2MDI3L2ktY2FudC1rZWVwLWNhbG0taW0tdGhlLWJyaWRlLXNoaXJ0P2dhX29yZGVyPW1vc3RfcmVsZXZhbnQmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YWxsJmdhX3ZpZXdfdHlwZT1nYWxsZXJ5JmdhX3NlYXJjaF9xdWVyeT1icmlkZSZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV82IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>Everyone knows brides are crazy with a capital K—you know, 'cause of lady hormones and stuff. This shirt is a celebration of bridezillas' mental instability. (Tip: Purchase this shirt in XXXL if you want to induce a maximum freakout.)<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlNC5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMTg3MTgzNzQ3L21ycy1zaGlydC1vZmYtc2hvdWxkZXItZ2xpdHRlci1icmlkZT9yZWY9bWFya2V0IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>Gone are the days of being a disgusting, shriveled-up, cat-loving "Miss." Girl, you're a <em>missus</em> now! If it's not emblazoned on your boobs, how is everyone supposed to know that you now have value in society?<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlOC5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMjEyNzY3ODQ2L3dpZmV5LXNoaXJ0LXdpZmV5LXZuZWNrLXNoaXJ0LWJyaWRlP3JlZj1tYXJrZXQiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div>Not only are you a Mrs. now, you're also a wife. Sorry, a <em>wifey</em>. If you don't put an "y" on the end and make it sound cutesy, you're nothing more than a frumpy old hag who drinks three fingers of scotch while her philandering husband shoots craps at an underground casino.&nbsp;<br><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlMS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMTY2NTY4Mjg5L2ktc3RvbGUtaGVyLWhlYXJ0LXNvLWltLXRha2luZy1oaXMtbGFzdD9nYV9vcmRlcj1tb3N0X3JlbGV2YW50JmdhX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFsbCZnYV92aWV3X3R5cGU9Z2FsbGVyeSZnYV9zZWFyY2hfcXVlcnk9dGFraW5nJTIwaGlzJTIwbmFtZSZyZWY9c3JfZ2FsbGVyeV8xIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>It's important to put these signs on your fence so that robbers know that you're planning on changing your name when you get married. The heart shape adds an extra whimsical touch to the misogyny.&nbsp;<br><p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlNS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMTIxMDMzODk4L2JyaWRlLWFwcm9uLWN1c3RvbS1hcHJvbi1uZXctbXJzLWFwcm9uP3JlZj1tYXJrZXQiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div>Oh, you thought your life began when you were <em>born</em>? No, no, dear girl. Your truest self was born when you became a wife. And who does the cooking in the household? You, the wife. You of the granite countertops and easy refrigerator access. You of the grocery list and the industrial food processor. YOU have fulfilled your true destiny.&nbsp;<p></p><p>But of all of the things that must be claimed by your man and declared his own, your vagina is the most important.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlNi5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMjE5NjI3NTUyL2JyaWRhbC11bmRlcndlYXJicmlkYWwtcGFudGllc3dvbWVucz9yZWY9bWFya2V0IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>You don't have a name, and neither does your vagina. You and your vagina belong to Dylan. Your vagina is Dylan's wife. That's it! Happy wedding, what's-your-face!<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlMy5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMTk3NTk5OTM1L3BlcnNvbmFsaXplZC11bmRlcndlYXItYW1lcmljYW4tYXBwYXJlbD9yZWY9bWFya2V0IiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>This quirky lil' thong is a bit of a #TBT to when people could legally own other people! Despite the fact that your assets will be split 50/50 in your eventual divorce, you are <em>his</em>&nbsp;property. And every time he watches you walk away, he must be reminded of that fact.<br><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTcvZXRzeWJyaWRlNy5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmV0c3kuY29tL2xpc3RpbmcvMTk3ODU5NjI1L2JyaWRlLXVuZGVyd2Vhci1icmlkYWwtc2hvd2VyLWdpZnQtYnJpZGU_cmVmPW1hcmtldCIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Make sure you get a pair of these for every day of the week, lest you forget where your loyalties lie.<br><p></p><p> <em>Photo via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14596429847/">Internet Archive Book Images/Flickr</a> (PD) | Remix by Jason Reed&nbsp;</em></p>
mkabas@dailydot.com (Marisa Kabas)Fri, 19 Jun 2015 13:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-sexist-bridal-gifts/LOLEtsyLifestyleWitches are furious at Etsy for banning the sale of spellshttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-witchcraft-ban/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/ca/50/ca509d8112906982848156320936b5b7.jpg'></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a>, the online marketplace for handcrafted goods, has long hosted a thriving community of witches, tarot readers, and other spiritual and supernatural vendors. After<a href="http://money.cnn.com/2012/08/16/technology/ebay-bans-spells/" target="_blank"> eBay banned the sale</a> of spells and the like in 2012, it became one of the most popular places for these types of vendors to make a living.&nbsp;</p><p>But many who sell supernatural goods on the site are claiming Etsy has been on something of a witch hunt (sorry), changing its rules about the sale of metaphysical services and shutting down stores without warning.</p><p>“Swathes of us have now had our sales and shop views tank, and there is great distress in the metaphysical community,” one vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Dot in an email.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTUvd2l0Y2guZ2lmIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiR2lwaHkiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cDovL2dpcGh5LmNvbS9naWZzLzkwcy10aGUtY3JhZnQtZmFpcnV6YS1iYWxrLWw1cjBJWFBXaHVaVnUiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div>The witch explained that under Etsy’s previous rules, spells and hexes were allowed to be sold, as long as they fit two criteria: They didn’t guarantee results, and they produced something tangible. So you could sell a tarot reading as long as it came with, say, a digital download, or a candle that could be used for casting spells, as long as you didn't guarantee that the spell would actually work. Earlier this year, for instance, I<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-sex-spells/" target="_self"> bought a sex spell off Etsy</a>, which came with both photographs of the spell being cast, and a disclaimer that no spell is guaranteed to work.<p></p><p>Recently, however, Etsy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/help/article/4524">quietly adopted new guidelines</a> that prohibit the sale of spells and hexes. According to its new rules, “any metaphysical service that promises or suggests it will effect a physical change (e.g., weight loss) or other outcome (e.g., love, revenge) is not allowed, even if it delivers a tangible item.”&nbsp;</p><p>Etsy didn't include a date with its new guidelines, so it's unclear when, exactly, the policy change took place. Yet the Daily Dot's source says that Etsy was still enforcing the old rules at the beginning of the month. “Up until June, many sellers had been contacted by Etsy warning them their listings would be deleted and/or shop suspended unless they updated these kinds of things to include something tangible," she wrote.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTUvd2l0Y2hjcmFmdC5naWYiLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJHaXBoeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiJodHRwOi8vZ2lwaHkuY29tL2dpZnMvekl3SVdReDEyWU5FSSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Even if the witches had a disclaimer saying these services were “for entertainment purposes only,” or that a spell was not guaranteed to work, listing something as a “love spell” vaguely suggests that you could find love by casting it.&nbsp;<p></p><p>But instead of warning vendors about the upcoming change, Etsy seems to have pulled the plug overnight. Many vendors say stores began to be shut down last week, and on June 9 our source was sent an email by “Etsy Marketplace Integrity” implying a change had been made.&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve recently clarified our spells-related policies in a way that impacts your shop,” the email read. “Because of this, your shop has been suspended.”&nbsp;</p><p>When asked for comment, Etsy spokesperson Sara Cohen said in an email that the website “recently” updated its policies, though she declined to give an exact date.&nbsp;</p><p>“When we make policy decisions, we strive to strike the right balance between creative freedom, Etsy's values, and establishing a safe marketplace for members," she wrote.</p><p>Cohen also insisted that Etsy has been contacting affected sellers “to help them make sure items they sell comply with our guidelines." She said the website is shutting down only the shops that violate these new policies.</p><p>An Etsy forum on the subject has over<a href="https://www.etsy.com/teams/7718/questions/discuss/16431979/page/1" target="_blank"> 850 responses</a>. Some witches are annoyed that Etsy had given no warning that the site's policies on witchcraft were about to change. Others were frustrated at Etsy for ditching the community that had previously been welcomed on the site with open arms.&nbsp;</p><p>“Etsy has definitely made a lot of money off the sale of these ‘spelled’ items, so they have had to know they were being sold. They even had a category for Spell listings which would prove that point,” wrote one vendor.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTUvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0xNV9hdF85LjIxLjAwX0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IlNjcmVlbmdyYWIgdmlhIEpheWEgU2F4ZW5hIiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTUvU2NyZWVuX1Nob3RfMjAxNS0wNi0xNV9hdF8xMS4xMS4yNV9BTS5wbmciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJTY3JlZW5ncmFiIHZpYSBKYXlhIFNheGVuYSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><p>Within Etsy’s witch and metaphysical community, there are a few theories as to why Etsy would have adopted the change. One has to do with Etsy <a href="http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/04/16/etsy-goes-public-with-global-ambitions">having gone public</a> in April. Additionally, while the site focuses on selling handmade, unique goods, it has always been an easy place for resellers and counterfeiters to set up. Etsy is now<a href="http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2015/05/17/368456.htm" target="_blank"> facing a lawsuit</a> from investors over items that possibly violate trademarks, and it’s possibly that the website has become more strict about just what can be sold.</p><p>While these theories are all sound, many metaphysical sellers believe that Etsy has a cultural bias against their goods. One forum user compared the sale of crystals that could be used in meditative rituals to the sale of a rosary or a cross. Both items represent spirituality, but neither make the claim that they will heal your ills or help you speak to God.&nbsp;</p><p>“Etsy seems to be only targeting those items of a pagan/occult nature while allowing items of certain faiths traditionally used for protection like St. Christopher medals, to still be marketed,” said another vendor in an email. “Personally I think it's probably unintended ignorance and failure to consider and think through what banning all spiritual, energetic and magickal claims will really mean.”</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“Etsy seems to be only targeting those items of a pagan/occult nature while allowing items of certain faiths traditionally used for protection, like St. Christopher medals, to still be marketed.”</blockquote><p>Admins in the forums insist that the sales of things like oils, incense, crystals and candles for use in spells are still okay, as long as they don’t claim any magical properties. For many witches, however, that’s not good enough.&nbsp;</p><p>“The entire point of buying stones/herbs/oils is for their metaphysical effects in my community!,” wrote one vendor. “If I can't list these correspondences, then why would any witch/pagan buy them from my shop? Witches and Pagans want to buy stones from people with knowledge about their magickal properties.”&nbsp;</p><p>There is<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/119/273/851/stop-etsys-ban-on-metaphysical-items/" target="_blank"> already a petition</a> to get Etsy to reopen these shops, with many sellers accusing the website of religious discrimination.&nbsp;</p><p>“I give the example of the seller who just this week was told to change the title of her listing from 'Archangel Protection Spell Kit' to ‘Archangel Protection PRAYER Kit’ by an Etsy rep,” claimed one vendor. “A spell and a prayer are basically the same thing, putting an intention out into the Universe.”</p><p>Discrimination or not, if you’re looking to hex your ex-girlfriend, you’ll have to start looking elsewhere. Or alternatively, you could always band together with these witches and cast a spell on Etsy.</p><p><em>Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Examination of a Witch (1853) by T. H. Matteson | Remix by Jason Reed</em></p>
jhsaxena@gmail.com (Jaya Saxena)Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:30:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-witchcraft-ban/LOLEtsyLifestyleOverthrow the patriarchy with these lovingly crafted ceramic dildoshttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-porcelain-dildos/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/10/c8/10c8a257a942f93204f2d586466e666f.jpg'></p>
<p><em>This article contains sexually explicit material.</em></p><p>Imagine finally getting the email letting you know that your package from Etsy had arrived. You get home, cut open the box, and see your gift: a porcelain white dildo, along with a collage of Wikipedia photos of the hip-hop artist Akon.</p><p>But you aren't going to use that fake penis for sexual purposes. You're going to put it on the top shelf of your bookcase, or possibly on your mantle. The pleasure comes from the appreciation of the art, not from the tickling of your prostate.&nbsp;</p><p>Artist Benjamin Woodyard is the brilliant mind behind the "99 Problems" art project, a series of 99 ceramic dildos that he's selling on Etsy. For his project, Woodyard made 99 porcelain casts of his penis and packaged them with <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/235157878/99-problems-in-the-exhibit-its-not-all?ref=shop_home_active_1">collages of various famous men</a>. The collages depict specific male icons, such as Abraham Lincoln or Tupac, and they're very, very NSFW.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTAvZGlsZG9zMS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJCZW5qYW1pbiBXb29keWFyZC9FdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Woodyard started the project as a way to jump-start a discussion about sexism and privilege in contemporary society. Although he's always been interested in feminist politics, due to his status as a white male, he knew he could never fully understand the experience of being a woman. So he decided to launch the 99 Problems project as a way to "take on the stereotype of my privileged position and exaggerate it to the point of being grossly ridiculous."<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvOC9hYmVfbGluY29sbi5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJCZW5qYW1pbiBXb29keWFyZC9FdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><p>Woodyard decided to make casts of his own penis and decorate them with photographs of famous men as a form of self-reflexive commentary on the stereotype of the white male artist who freely flaunts his masculinity and sexuality.&nbsp;</p><p>The project is intended to be tongue-in-cheek, in part because Woodyard knows he doesn't have the biggest cock on the block—in fact, he's fairly average-sized, if the above photos are any indication.&nbsp;</p><p>As the ultimate example of turning lemons into lemonade, Woodyard incorporated his modest size into his art project. As he writes in the description on his&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/235149748/abraham-lincoln-dildo-from-the-piece-99">Esty page</a>:</p><blockquote class="">&nbsp;But! The dicks aren’t that big, why would I, in reality, be so proud of such an average dick? And why do they all have faces of other men on them? The size normalizes the egotistic/narcissistic gesture of making them in the first place, maybe undercuts it even, lending the piece some realism. By giving these different men of interest these average-to-small dicks (sizes vary) it normalizes them too, bringing them down to a more personal level.&nbsp;</blockquote><p>Pop culture and male celebrities were also integral to Woodyard's project. For example, he made 99 molds in reference to Jay-Z's "99 Problems," and the packages feature celebrities from Lou Reed to Richard Nixon.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvMTAvcmljaGFyZF9uaXhvbl9kaWxkby5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJCZW5qYW1pbiBXb29keWFyZC9FdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>The dildos also vary in size because Woodyard took two molds of his penis, with one mold being more erect than the other. The variations in size are in accordance with his artistic subjects. The dildo for Hitler, for instance, is little and limp, while Buddha is honored with a straighter and larger dildo.&nbsp;<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzYvOC9kaWNrcy5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJCZW5qYW1pbiBXb29keWFyZC9FdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Although Woodyard feels pretty exposed by the project, he's not much of an exhibitionist. The goal of the project isn't to get you to see his penis.&nbsp;<p>"It is supposed to be a conversation-starter and grab your attention," the Ontario-based artist wrote in an email to the Daily Dot. "By putting my genitals on display it puts me in a vulnerable position socially, but I hope it also makes people realize that the subject of the work is a lot bigger than my dick."</p><p>It's been about two years since Woodyard completed his project, but the dildos are still available to purchase on his <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BenjaminWoodyard?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy page</a>, along with some of his other creations. And with some time to reflect since finishing "99 Problems," he's learned some important lessons on his male privilege.</p><p>"I have learned that vocally addressing the subject of feminism and being in a position of privilege as a white male can often be less helpful than actually shutting up and listening," he wrote. &nbsp;"So I guess I want to say this to white men and boys: Listen to your peers who do not share your social position as white men. Actually listen to them."</p><p><em>Photos via <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BenjaminWoodyard?ref=l2-shopheader-name">BenjaminWoodyard</a>/Etsy | Illustration by Fernando Alfonso III</em></p>
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gabebergado@gmail.com (Gabe Bergado)Thu, 11 Jun 2015 14:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-porcelain-dildos/LOLEtsyLifestyle3 top Etsy sellers share their secrets for making big money onlinehttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/how-to-make-money-on-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/1d/49/1d492e44a6dbcf4e0cab01e8711736c7.jpg'></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a> is a seemingly endless flea market of knick-knacks that you can browse from the comfort of your home. But despite the vastness of the online crafts market, there are a handful of businessmen and women who manage to rise above the fray to create very real—and very lucrative—Etsy shops.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNy9maXJzdF9iZW5jaF8xLmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkVyaW4gVHJ1ZSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><strong style="font-family: Lato, Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 24px;">Urban Wood Goods</strong><p></p><p>In 2014, Erin True, the founder of the industrial wood furniture site&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanWoodGoods">Urban Wood Goods</a>, reported that she made $1.3 million in sales. Of that revenue, one quarter came from Etsy, the platform she originally used to launch her custom furniture company.</p><p>Before she started her business on Etsy, True was an art teacher in Illinois for eight years. She always kept busy with creative side projects, but back in 2010, she decided to build a wooden bench and try to sell it on a hastily made&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbanWoodGoods" target="_blank">Etsy shop.</a>&nbsp;“I was never intending to make a business out of it. It was an experiment. I never thought it would sell," she told the Daily Dot.</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“The whole idea of having a business online selling furniture was crazy to anyone I told."</blockquote><p>Most of the entrepreneurs who point to Etsy as the start of their success consider it just that: a starting point. True, for example, runs a successful <a href="http://urbanwoodgoods.com/">independent website</a> and gets business through alternate routes. But five years ago, it was an entirely different story.</p><p>The reclaimed wood bench sold within days, leaving True little time to figure out the logistics of delivery. (Luckily, the buyer was in Detroit, a short enough drive from True's hometown in Chicago, so she delivered it herself.) She launched the full-fledged version of her Etsy store a year later.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNy9fR0lMNDU1NS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFcmluIFRydWUiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>With no woodworking experience and no business background, True borrowed $400 from her then-fiancé (now husband) and drove to a reclaimed wood supplier three and a half hours away to pick up enough raw material to build more pieces. “The whole idea of having a business online selling furniture was crazy to anyone I told," she remembers.<p>But apparently, it was crazy enough to work: After True's husband quit his job to help get the business off the ground, they rented a 3,000 square foot space and hired five employees. Over the next few years, Urban Wood Goods would grow revenue by 30% each year, even as Etsy took 3.5 percent of the profits. (That's the standard share Etsy takes from all of its stores.)</p><p>“It’s hard to work with your spouse, but I wouldn’t have made this progress without him. Us as a team got us to where we are today,” True said.&nbsp;</p><p>It hasn’t been an easy road for Urban Wood Goods. True said she had to learn many lessons about managing people the hard way, after having three former employees rip off her designs. But with her Etsy store pulling in $270,000 in 2014 alone, it's hard to have many regrets.</p><p>“I wouldn’t change anything. It’s been an amazing adventure starting this business," she said.&nbsp;</p><h2><font color="#232323">Spexton Jewelry</font></h2><h2><span style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;">Nate McPherson opened an Etsy shop for his budding male-focused wedding band company back in 2007, shortly after the site first launched. But it was inactive until 2010, when he had an epiphany.</span></h2><p>“I realized ‘Oh my god, people are making a shit-ton of money on Etsy. What are we doing?' So I ran to try it again,” McPherson told the Daily Dot. </p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNy9TUFhfQmxhY2swMDcuanBnIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiTmF0ZSBNY1BoZXJzb24iLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>McPherson originally founded his jewelry brand, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/spexton">Spexton</a>, in 2003 with husband Greg Shelton. At the time, they were selling designer underwear to the after-bar crowd out of a retail space in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. But as luck would have it, there was a metal shop in the back where Greg could experiment with metalworking, where the first 100 Spexton wedding bands were made.<p></p><p>At first, McPherson and Shelton sold the stainless steel and titanium handcrafted bands a few feet in front of the store. “We literally spent every dime we had in our bank account to start making these things," McPherson said.</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“When you want to point to the money source, that’s Etsy."</blockquote><p>But when they started selling on Etsy, it "changed everything," McPherson said. “Suddenly we weren’t just depending on the local world. Overnight we went from one tax bracket to another.”</p><p>Still, McPherson is careful to point out that the Spexton success story is not at all typical. If you're a growing crafts business, putting all your eggs in a handwoven artisanal Etsy basket could be risky. “This [Etsy bubble] might not last,” he said. “Who knows what’s gonna happen to it [Etsy]?”</p><p><span id="goog_1161571894"></span><span id="goog_1161571895"></span></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNi9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTA0LTA3X2F0XzcuMjUuMzNfUE0ucG5nIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiTmF0ZSBNY1BoZXJzb24iLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>On Mar. 4, <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/04/etsy-officially-files-to-go-public/" target="_blank">Etsy filed to go public</a> in preparation for its highly anticipated IPO. But their sellers have been giving little indication as to what that might mean for them. Even those as successful as True and McPherson have been kept in the dark as the marketplace giant plans to sell shares in its growing fortune.&nbsp;<p></p><p>“Our whole existence is in the balance with people we’ve never met,” McPherson said. “There’s that fear built in.” </p><p>For this reason, McPherson and Shelton decided to open a retail store to supplement their income. But for now, Etsy is their cash cow.</p><p>“When you want to point to the money source, that’s Etsy,” McPherson admitted. “I don’t know what I’d be doing without it.”</p><p>While McPherson wouldn’t provide exact Etsy sales figure, he said Spexton can sell three or four rings every day, which usually accounts for 25 to 50 percent of the company's total sales. </p><h2><font color="#232323">Emily McDowell Studio</font></h2><h2><span style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;">When Emily McDowell’s greeting card from her </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/emilymcdowellstudio?ref=pr_shop_more" style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;">Etsy shop</a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;"> was posted on Etsy’s </span><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/facebook/" style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;">Facebook</a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;"> page in 2013, it was included in a </span><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/hnigatu/42-honest-valentines-day-cards-for-any-situation#.wtz165z54" style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;">BuzzFeed</a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia Regular', Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400;"> round-up. Suddenly, McDowell was catapulted into success.</span></h2><p>"I just started drawing stuff and my friends were like ‘You should sell these,'" she told the Daily Dot. "I hadn’t thought about building a brand in that way until people started responding the way they did. Etsy was the easiest way to start selling"</p><p>After 10 years in advertising, McDowell decided to quit and do some freelancing while figuring out her next move. She realized that people were really into homemade custom print cards she was creating for friends. The cards were alternately snarky and heartwarming, and she thought she might have hit on something big.</p><p>“I really felt like I had something that would resonate emotionally with people,” she said.”</p><p>The card that started it all was this Valentine's Day missive.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNi9lbWlseW0zLmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkVtaWx5IE1jRG93ZWxsIiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><p>McDowell's cards predominantly feature pithy phrases, as well as sentiments of her own creation. She tries to copyright as many of them as she can, but even so, like True, McDowell has encountered Etsy copycats. (The website's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/help/article/482/?ref=ftr">copyright and intellectual property policy </a>vows to take down sellers who infringe on others' copyright, but copycatting is so <a href="https://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/14699024/">rampant</a> Etsy can't possibly keep track of all offenders.) McDowell says she sends messages at least once per week to other sellers to take down products that rip off her work.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>Another challenge of setting up an Etsy shop is establishing yourself as a brand. Ironically, this becomes increasingly difficult the more popular you get on Etsy.&nbsp;</p><p>“As you get bigger as an Etsy seller, there’s little opportunity for branding," McDowell says. "People say 'I bought this on Etsy,' not 'from Emily McDowell’s shop.' Etsy supersedes the brand of the seller.”</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“As you get bigger as an Etsy seller, there’s little opportunity for branding."</blockquote><p>But the hardest part of all is the sheer scope of the competition in the marketplace. While McDowell has clearly risen to the top, she's competing against millions of similar greeting card sellers, and she's well aware of how tenuous her foothold in the market is.&nbsp;</p><p></p><p>“Etsy is a wonderful platform, but there are also millions of sellers on Etsy," she said. "It’s a myth that it’s easy to open a shop and make a ton of money.”</p><p>It might not be easy, but there's no denying that McDowell has done it. She reports she earned $1.5 million in 2014, mostly from wholesale deals with retailers like Urban Outfitters. While her income from Etsy represents only a small portion of her revenue, without the exposure McDowell initially gained from the website, the wholesale deals might have been a pipe dream.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzQvNy9lbWlseW0xLmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkVtaWx5IE1jRG93ZWxsIiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Success in e-commerce is more often than not ephemeral, and most Etsy sellers won't even make hundreds of dollars, let alone thousands, from hawking their wares online. But the website provides a springboard for people without a business or entrepreneurial background, who might not have otherwise had the tools to launch a full-fledged business.&nbsp;<p></p><p>As True put it, “I think Etsy is the best place to start, but you gotta do your homework.”</p><p></p><p><em>Image via Erin True</em></p>
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mkabas@dailydot.com (Marisa Kabas)Wed, 08 Apr 2015 12:30:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/how-to-make-money-on-etsy/EtsyBusinessLifestyleYou can buy spells online—but some witches don't like ithttp://www.dailydot.com/business/buy-spells-online-etsy-witch/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/4d/91/4d9142294fda6564243cb33656bc0420.jpg'></p>
<p>A month ago, I <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-sex-spells/">hired a witch on Etsy</a> to cast a sex spell on my marriage. Since then, I have learned more about the online witchcraft community than I thought I’d ever know.&nbsp;</p><p>Commenters called me an idiot for thinking it’d work, friends asked if I’d recommend the process, and at least one person told me I should find Jesus. But one angry response really caught my attention: the bubbling anger at capitalist witches.&nbsp;</p><p>“That was probably the dumbest thing you could have ever done,” one commenter wrote. “Speaking as a witch, I would never cast a spell for anyone for payment. That’s ethically wrong.”</p><p>Within the witch community, apparently, there is a lot of debate about whether it’s ethical to charge money for their services, especially when they’re not guaranteed to work. I decided there was no one better to ask about the issues and intricacies of online witchcraft than my witch, Victoria Zasikowski.</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“Speaking as a witch, I would never cast a spell for anyone for payment. That’s ethically wrong.”</blockquote><p>Zasikowski runs an <a href="http://dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">Etsy</a> page called the Enchanted Land. She casts around 25 spells per month, “some of these being Hoodoo spells, others being my more specialist Black Magick services.” Unsurprisingly, the most popular spells are love spells, though she entered the game through tarot and astrology when she was a teenager. “It was while in my 30s that I became strongly drawn to Hoodoo over other magickal practices,” she said in an email. “I realized that I appeared to have abilities.”</p><p>She began her online business by selling her services on eBay. However, in 2012, eBay prohibited sales of “intangible” services like tarot readings, spells, and “healing.” Most witchcraft marketplaces I saw make no claims about the tangibility of their products, and many have long disclaimers about how none of the spells are guaranteed to work and all the reasons they might not be effective. Those variables include things like “negative energy” and the universe having “other plans for you.” The product seems about as intangible as you can get, but, Zasikowski says, “it is rare for someone to experience no effects at all.”</p><p>It does seem a bit suspect to be charging money for something that relies so heavily on the universe’s plans, which is what some witches use to argue against charging for services. Zasikowski says nobody has ever complained to her, but she sees these arguments play out in online witchcraft forums.</p><p>“There is a belief among some that ‘spiritual’ gifts should be given free of charge,=&nbsp;<em>because</em> they are spiritual,” she said. “Time and effort spent should apparently be given free of charge, whereas if you are a hairdresser or nurse, etc, it is your right to be paid. This double standard is ludicrous.”&nbsp;</p><blockquote class="pullquote">“There is a belief among some that ‘spiritual’ gifts should be given free of charge&nbsp;<em>because</em>&nbsp;<br>they are spiritual.”</blockquote><p>Part of this goes back to the historic context surrounding witchcraft. Often women couldn’t hold “real” jobs, and if they needed to make money, this was one of their only options. But the other part is that many feel that witches have the right to pursue a living based on what they’re passionate about. “I suppose I could scrape a living on the minimum wage and loathe every minute, as opposed to run a successful business doing something I love,” says Zasikowski, “but where would the sense in that be?”&nbsp;</p><p>From the outside, where you stand on charging for spells depends on whether or not you think it’s a scam. If you don’t believe in witchcraft, you’re unlikely to seek out any magical services, whether you pay for them or not. If you do, you’re either convinced that you’ll get what you pay for—like one man who paid a fortune-teller in Salem, Mass.,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/is-psychic-charging-to-remove-curses/article_a92a577e-6efb-5aaf-9fbb-41d3bb944578.html" target="_blank">$16,800 to cast a protective shield around him</a>—or that “energy is free” and these services should be too. And if you’re in-between? Well, $25 on Etsy is a small price to pay to satisfy your curiosity.</p><p><em>Photo via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mullica/2769082212/sizes/o/">Robert Benner Sr.</a>/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) | Remix by Max Fleishman</em></p>
jhsaxena@gmail.com (Jaya Saxena)Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:52:06 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/buy-spells-online-etsy-witch/EtsyLifestyleBusinessYou'll fall in love with this baby burrito blanket on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/lol/baby-burrito-blanket-food/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/d9/29/d9295fca56aa0ce954c4ae2b72bac928.jpg'></p>
<p>Sometimes babies are so cute, you could just eat 'em up.&nbsp;</p><p>While we don't encourage cannibalism,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>&nbsp;vendor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/101318265/baby-shower-gift-burrito-baby-blanket?ref=shop_home_feat_1" target="_blank">AwesomeSauceDesigns</a>&nbsp;serves up <a href="http://laughingsquid.com/a-burrito-baby-blanket-that-wraps-an-infant-in-a-fleece-tortilla-and-toppings/">one delicious-looking burrito baby</a>. Here's the product description:</p><blockquote class="">Make your baby look tasty and delicious! This novelty burrito baby blanket will make your child look like it's the "meat" in a burrito. Surrounded by toppings of tomatoes, cheese and lettuce and wrapped in a tortilla shell, this baby blanket will provide some great photo opportunities as well as a few laughs. Makes a great baby shower gift!</blockquote><p>While Awesome Sauce Designs' baby burrito is topped with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes option, we found a tortilla-only option for those who enjoy their burritos plain.</p><p>Apparently, it's not as hard as you'd think to find an edible-looking baby blanket.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvMTIvdG9ydGlsbGFfYmFieS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJTY3JlZW4gR3JhYi9Cb24gVml2YW50IEJhYnkiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>And if you're gluten free, a sushi baby blanket option is also available.<br><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvMTIvc3VzaGlfYmFieS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJTY3JlZW4gR3JhYi9Cb25WaXZhbnQgQmFieSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvMTIvZWdncm9sbF9iYWJ5LmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IlNjcmVlbiBHcmFiL0JvblZpdmFudCBCYWJ5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><em>H/T Laughing Squid | Photo via <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/101318265/baby-shower-gift-burrito-baby-blanket?ref=shop_home_feat_1">AwesomeSauceDesigns/Etsy</a><br></em><br><br>
mprice@dailydot.com (Melanie Price)Fri, 13 Feb 2015 12:39:33 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lol/baby-burrito-blanket-food/LOLEtsyLifestyleEtsy's weirdest, most NSFW Valentine's Day giftshttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-valentines-day-gifts/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/05/c5/05c5ae5549c74af4247c749da633752f.jpg'></p>
<p><em>This article contains sexually explicit material.</em></p><p><a href="http://dailydot.com/tags/valentines-day/">Valentine’s Day</a> has traditionally been about romance, not sex—which is, let’s admit, sort of crap. What is more passionate than overpriced prix-fixe and bodega roses? Reminding your significant other that you have genitalia and you want to use it on them. Luckily, if you want to go about that in the most obvious way possible (or at least as obvious as you can get without sending a <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/edible-anus-chocolate-valentines-day/">chocolate butthole</a>), <a href="http://dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a> has your back.&nbsp;</p><p>The site prohibits the sale of pornography, but there is a <em>world</em> of dick-and-vagina themed art, jewelry, and decorations, not even counting the lovingly handcrafted “sexual wellness items,” that’s found a home here. It’s a perfect way to say anything from “I appreciate your penis,” to “I miss your boobs,” to “I have a vulva and want you to wear a pendant that looks like it around your neck for eternity.”</p><p>If your significant other is into penises, you can get them <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/219070252/adults-only-penis-cookies?ref=sc_1&amp;plkey=fc59c3ad26a0770e95e75ae2dc0e9d2d6ddcfebf%3A219070252&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">cookies</a>, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/155768886/mature-huge-ball-sac-1-penis-earrings?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">earrings</a>, an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/221217374/hand-embroidered-penis-necklace-pendant?ref=sr_gallery_21&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">embroidered necklace</a>, or an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/129869133/mature-penis-chapstick-cozy?ref=sr_gallery_1&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">adorable chapstick beer cozy</a>:</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOC9pbF81NzB4Ti40NTA2ODcxNDhfZGdoZS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaW1nMC5ldHN5c3RhdGljLmNvbS8wMTUvMC82MDA4NzUyL2lsXzU3MHhOLjQ1MDY4NzE0OF9kZ2hlLmpwZyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>If they have a collector’s eye, you can get an “<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/216075319/antique-japanese-crystal-penis-amulet?ref=sr_gallery_21&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">antique Japanese crystal penis</a>,” or even <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/200998898/vagina-act-pendantsilver-vagina?ref=sr_gallery_15&amp;ga_search_query=penis&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">this pendant</a> showing exactly what you want to do to them that night:<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOS9pbF81NzB4Ti42NDU2MzQ0OTNfMnllMS5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaW1nMS5ldHN5c3RhdGljLmNvbS8wMzEvMC82MzcwNDk3L2lsXzU3MHhOLjY0NTYzNDQ5M18yeWUxLmpwZyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>Speaking of vaginas, you can go with these forged “<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/57250550/the-delta-of-venus-earrings-fold-formed?ref=sc_3&amp;plkey=8e340b481df45dc6798fb7e900043c72eb868a98%3A57250550&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">delta of Venus</a>” earrings, a necklace where it’s <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/198235724/hand-sculpted-mini-vagina-with-bat-wings?ref=sr_gallery_15&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">shaped like a bat</a>, or just a simple <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/159416859/the-original-boob-scarf-as-seen-on-the?ref=sc_2&amp;plkey=746f442676b1ba286925c7df2fc2a2d2a82e6dbc%3A159416859&amp;ga_search_query=boobs&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">boob scarf</a>. Maybe it’ll be a special night, and you’ll feel like popping the question <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/201253968/silver-vagina-ringerotic?ref=sr_gallery_8&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">with a ring</a> that shows her what you really value:<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOC9pbF81NzB4Ti42NDUxODU3NjJfcnlsNC5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaW1nMC5ldHN5c3RhdGljLmNvbS8wMjYvMC82MzcwNDk3L2lsXzU3MHhOLjY0NTE4NTc2Ml9yeWw0LmpwZyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>But what about gifts you can enjoy as a couple with a flair for interior decoration? <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/103564807/porn-stars-love-each-other-very-much?ref=sr_gallery_3&amp;ga_search_query=porn&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">This painting</a> manages to say both “I love sex” and “coloring books are fun.”&nbsp;<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOS9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTAyLTA5X2F0XzkuMjQuMDlfQU0ucG5nIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ldHN5LmNvbS9saXN0aW5nLzEwMzU2NDgwNy9wb3JuLXN0YXJzLWxvdmUtZWFjaC1vdGhlci12ZXJ5LW11Y2g_cmVmPXNyX2dhbGxlcnlfMyZnYV9zZWFyY2hfcXVlcnk9cG9ybiZnYV9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbGwmZ2Ffdmlld190eXBlPWdhbGxlcnkiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiV2UndmUgY3JvcHBlZCB0aGlzIHBob3RvLiBDbGljayB0aHJvdWdoIGZvciB0aGUgcmVhbCBkZWFsLiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div><p>This <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/211034061/stardust-erotic-artwork-original-mixed?ref=related-0" target="_blank">mixed media piece</a>&nbsp;(NSFW) reminds you of the cosmic balance achieved through fingerbanging.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOS9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTAyLTA5X2F0XzkuNDIuMDBfQU0ucG5nIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ldHN5LmNvbS9saXN0aW5nLzIxMTAzNDA2MS9zdGFyZHVzdC1lcm90aWMtYXJ0d29yay1vcmlnaW5hbC1taXhlZD9yZWY9cmVsYXRlZC0wIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IlN0YXJkdXN0IEVyb3RpYyBBcnR3b3JrLiBXZSd2ZSBjcm9wcGVkIHRoaXMgb25lIHRvby4iLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div>If mixed media isn’t your thing, try this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/214830981/adult-gay-prn-lithograph?ref=sr_gallery_13&amp;ga_search_query=gay+sex&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">gay porn lithograph</a>&nbsp;(NSFW). You can buy a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/162047917/handmade-adult-sex-swing-simple-version?ref=sr_gallery_17&amp;ga_search_query=sex&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">handmade sex swing</a>, especially useful if you’re sick and tired of forking over your hard earned pay to Big Sex Swing.&nbsp;<p></p><p>Or you can just send your sweetie an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/211136206/your-message-written-on-boobs-boob-photo?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=boobs&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">adorable message</a>&nbsp;(NSFW) written on someone else’s boobs.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOC9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTAyLTA5X2F0XzkuMjUuMjJfQU0ucG5nIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5ldHN5LmNvbS9saXN0aW5nLzIxMTEzNjIwNi95b3VyLW1lc3NhZ2Utd3JpdHRlbi1vbi1ib29icy1ib29iLXBob3RvP3JlZj1zcl9nYWxsZXJ5XzUmZ2Ffc2VhcmNoX3F1ZXJ5PWJvb2JzJmdhX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFsbCZnYV92aWV3X3R5cGU9Z2FsbGVyeSIsImNhcHRpb24iOiJBbHNvIGNyb3BwZWQuIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div>Everyone appreciates a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/218650415/happy-little-people?ref=related-0" target="_blank">nice pillow</a>, and if in doubt, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/118478872/cock-atiel-giclee-print-mature-content?ref=sr_gallery_13&amp;ga_search_query=gay+vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">put a bird on it</a>.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOS9pbF81NzB4Ti40MDg1MzY1MjNfMXZmei5qcGciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaW1nMS5ldHN5c3RhdGljLmNvbS8wMDMvMC83NTE2ODU0L2lsXzU3MHhOLjQwODUzNjUyM18xdmZ6LmpwZyIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><blockquote class="pullquote">Let’s take V-Day for everything else that can come from love. Wear a d**k around your neck and wear it proud.</blockquote><p>We don’t need a Valentine’s Day for love. We’ve already been sold that true, all-encompassing, monogamous love is what we should be striving for every day of the year. We’re told we should celebrate and honor this commitment above all other interactions. Let’s take V-Day for everything else that can come from flirtation, love, and sex. Wear a dick around your neck and wear it proud.</p><p></p><p>And if it gets to be too much you can always <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/194055247/pay-attention-to-me-spell-casting-wicca?ref=sr_gallery_15&amp;ga_search_query=porn&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">buy a spell</a> to put on your boyfriend to keep him from watching so much porn.&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE1LzIvOS9wYWdhbl93aWNjYS5wbmciLCJjcmVkaXQiOiJFdHN5IiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6IiIsImNhcHRpb24iOiIiLCJ3aWR0aCI6IiIsInRleHR3cmFwIjoiIiwidHlwZSI6ImltYWdlIn0."></div><em>Photo via <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/103564807/porn-stars-love-each-other-very-much?ref=sr_gallery_3&amp;ga_search_query=porn&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">Etsy</a></em><p></p>
<p></p>
jhsaxena@gmail.com (Jaya Saxena)Mon, 09 Feb 2015 14:40:01 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/etsy-valentines-day-gifts/LOLEtsyBusinessLifestyleEtsy engagement mugs provoke the legal wrath of Queen Beyoncéhttp://www.dailydot.com/business/beyonce-threatens-to-sue-etsy-feyonce/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/2f/aa/2faa5ce0451318eb39254be5095e21be.jpg'></p>
<p>When you’re as big as <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/beyonce/" target="_self">Beyoncé</a>, your name and likeness are everywhere, including on tons of unofficial merchandise. <a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/sassandclass/works/13401042-beyonce-jesus?grid_pos=28&amp;p=t-shirt&amp;ref=shop_grid" target="_blank">Beyoncé Jesus T-shirt</a>, anyone? Hand-painted <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/201429840/hand-painted-beyonce-wine-glass?ref=market" target="_blank">Beyoncé wine glass</a>? All of it seems to be fair game, except—as <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/" target="_self">Etsy</a> just found out—for engagement-related puns.</p><p>It seems the clearinghouse of <a href="http://sadetsyboyfriends.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">sad boyfriend attire</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345523180/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=thedailygreen-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0345523180" target="_blank">regrettable DIY crafts</a> received a <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2015/01/23/beyonce-etsy-feyonce-taken-down/" target="_blank">cease-and-desist letter</a> from Queen Bey’s lawyers over mugs bearing the cringeworthy portmanteau “Feyoncé.” You know, like “Beyoncé” + “fiancée.” Because you’re going to need something to drink from between the proposal and the marriage itself. The sort of product that makes you want fill your pockets with stones and walk into the ocean. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiJodHRwOi8vY2RuMC5kYWlseWRvdC5jb20vdXBsb2FkZWQvaW1hZ2VzL29yaWdpbmFsLzIwMTUvMS8yMy9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTAxLTI0X2F0XzkuNTEuMDdfQU0ucG5nIiwiY3JlZGl0IjoiVE1aIiwiY3JlZGl0TGluayI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cudG16LmNvbS8yMDE1LzAxLzIzL2JleW9uY2UtZXRzeS1mZXlvbmNlLXRha2VuLWRvd24vIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>Etsy responded to the threat of a lawsuit by yanking the mug set in question, though plenty of other retailers had <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/217504466/feyonce-fiance-vinyl-ceramic-mug-funny?ref=sr_gallery_2&amp;ga_search_query=feyonce&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">the</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/219740043/fiance-feyonce-wedding-rhinestone?ref=sr_gallery_6&amp;ga_search_query=feyonce&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">same</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/213825946/feyonce-burnout-tank-bachelorette-party?ref=sr_gallery_12&amp;ga_search_query=feyonce&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">horrible</a> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/195873089/225-custom-feyonce-bachelorette-party?ref=sr_gallery_14&amp;ga_search_query=feyonce&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">idea</a>, so don’t panic, you Beyoncé-loving betrotheds. Also, consider having any kind of personality beyond really liking one pop star in particular.<p></p><p></p><p><em>H/T <a href="http://flavorwire.com/newswire/beyonces-lawyers-write-cease-and-desist-letter-to-punning-etsy-vendor">Flavorwire</a> | Photo by </em><a href="http://www.tmz.com/2015/01/23/beyonce-etsy-feyonce-taken-down/" target="_blank"><em>Hot Gossip Italia</em></a><em>/</em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hotgossipitalia/" target="_blank"><em>Flickr</em></a><em> (CC BY 2.0)</em></p>
miles@dailydot.com (Miles Klee)Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:36:34 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/beyonce-threatens-to-sue-etsy-feyonce/EtsyBusinessEntertainmentThis Kurt Cobain T-shirt may be the worst thing on eBayhttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/ebay-kurt-cobain-suicide-t-shirt/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/af/19/af19892342ec1fd51f95742d8e3be255.jpg'></p>
<p>I’m not the most stylish guy, but I know an unforgivable fashion faux pas when I see it—and clothes bearing the final depressive scribblings of grunge rock hero <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/kurt-cobain/" target="_self">Kurt Cobain</a> fit the bill.</p><p>The text of the <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/nirvana/" target="_self">Nirvana</a> frontman’s infamous 1994 note had previously appeared on a tank top that <a href="http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/93407801.html" target="_blank">Etsy pulled from its virtual shelves</a>, Fader <a href="http://www.thefader.com/2015/01/13/new-lows-all-around" target="_blank">reports</a>, but you can still pick up a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kurt-Cobain-Suicide-Letter-Nirvana-Baseball-Men-Women-3-4-Long-Sleeve-T-Shirt-/251485414992?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&amp;var=&amp;hash=item3a8db2e650" target="_blank">unisex 3/4th sleeve T-shirt version</a> on <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/ebay/" target="_self">eBay</a> for $25. The listing reveals that 16 of the cotton (and supposedly handmade) items have been sold, with 7 more available for purchase at the time of publication.</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiJodHRwOi8vY2RuMC5kYWlseWRvdC5jb20vdXBsb2FkZWQvaW1hZ2VzL29yaWdpbmFsLzIwMTUvMS8xMi91bm5hbWVkLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6ImVCYXkiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5lYmF5LmNvbS9pdG0vS3VydC1Db2JhaW4tU3VpY2lkZS1MZXR0ZXItTmlydmFuYS1CYXNlYmFsbC1NZW4tV29tZW4tMy00LUxvbmctU2xlZXZlLVQtU2hpcnQtLzI1MTQ4NTQxNDk5Mj9wdD1MSF9EZWZhdWx0RG9tYWluXzAmdmFyPSZoYXNoPWl0ZW0zYThkYjJlNjUwIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiJodHRwOi8vY2RuMC5kYWlseWRvdC5jb20vdXBsb2FkZWQvaW1hZ2VzL29yaWdpbmFsLzIwMTUvMS8xMi9TY3JlZW5fU2hvdF8yMDE1LTAxLTEzX2F0XzExLjQ0LjIwX0FNLnBuZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6ImVCYXkiLCJjcmVkaXRMaW5rIjoiaHR0cDovL3d3dy5lYmF5LmNvbS9pdG0vS3VydC1Db2JhaW4tU3VpY2lkZS1MZXR0ZXItTmlydmFuYS1CYXNlYmFsbC1NZW4tV29tZW4tMy00LUxvbmctU2xlZXZlLVQtU2hpcnQtLzI1MTQ4NTQxNDk5Mj9wdD1MSF9EZWZhdWx0RG9tYWluXzAmdmFyPSZoYXNoPWl0ZW0zYThkYjJlNjUwIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsIndpZHRoIjoiIiwidGV4dHdyYXAiOiIiLCJ0eXBlIjoiaW1hZ2UifQ.."></div>The Thailand-based retailer behind the garment, <a href="http://www.ebay.com/usr/nuchyk?_trksid=p2047675.l2559" target="_blank">nuchyk</a>, has a 99.2 percent positive feedback rating and sells <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/nuchykshop?_trksid=p2047675.l2563" target="_blank">all manner of probably copyright-infringing shirts</a> featuring band logos, movie characters, and pop-culture personalities. He or she notes that the Cobain note shirt is “Not Official,” which, yeah, no kidding. Anyway, don’t buy this garbage.<p></p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-oembed" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiJodHRwOi8veW91dHUuYmUvM1l0SDJyanJmYUkiLCJ0eXBlIjoib2VtYmVkIn0."></div><p></p><p><em>For more information about suicide prevention or to speak with someone confidentially, contact the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.suicidepreventionlifeline.org%2F&amp;sa=D&amp;sntz=1&amp;usg=AFrqEzde8aXg4qfF4MSFL7vWQ40hN4Y1WQ" target="_blank">National Suicide Prevention Lifeline</a> (U.S.) or <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.samaritans.org%2Fhow-we-can-help-you%2Fcontact-us&amp;sa=D&amp;sntz=1&amp;usg=AFrqEzf_LaGwpbgbOdTUq5RRP6Mdyu1QhA" target="_blank">Samaritans</a> (U.K.).&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>Photo by </em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-marsh/3565013110/in/photolist-esA3s-8BjnrT-eszZq-4JHuDf-9ao6Go-3kTiSV-3kToWR-eszXx-8Bkx2M-eszWF-esA2v-byfiy-eszYN-4JdJcP-r1bS6-4ucFBr-dqXK3-eszZU-8KRw87-8GctPg-6r2Cch-AyBuJ-6cQcxE-67fTBw-9jGjRB-7tHEV1-a5FVuB-3kUz9n-Bo7MV-3kXMKb-6gE3mq-ooc8VH-opRej-fwsj6x-3kXKhh-4JhWYA-4LtwDb-AyBqH-Qfz7k-8zqVii-marRYD-rHGf3-8GfE9U-3kTomi-fHhEqx-edr2w-8SopY-6gzS9i-oocbjv-62DddD" target="_blank"><em>Dan Marsh</em></a><em>/</em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dan-marsh/" target="_blank"><em>Flickr</em></a><em> (CC BY 2.0)</em></p>
miles@dailydot.com (Miles Klee)Tue, 13 Jan 2015 18:13:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/ebay-kurt-cobain-suicide-t-shirt/EtsyLifestyleEntertainmentIUD earrings are real—and you can buy them on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/iud-earrings-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/2d/96/2d96fea11cfd43ce210fab071d6dbb4c.jpg'></p>
<p>Scrambling for a belated Christmas present for your favorite reproductive health advocate this year? (Or for your favorite blogger, whose birthday is on January 3? Just saying.) How about some <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/204470143/copper-iud-earrings-homemade-out-of-wire?ref=sr_gallery_2&amp;ga_search_query=iud+earrings&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">IUD earrings from Etsy</a>, so you can support your favorite contraceptive method while simultaneously flaunting your accessorization skills?</p><p>The IUD earrings, which cost $30 a pair, are made of copper, beads, and gold chains, and have the amateur, rough-hewn quality of the earrings you’d make your BFF at summer camp. They’re available in white and purple on the Etsy store <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ContraceptCreations?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">ContraceptCreations</a>. </p><p>“Along with that oh-so-chic IUD sparkle, this jewelry facilitates an important conversation about access to reproductive health services,” reads the product description on Contraceptive Creations’ Etsy page. (Should you have unpierced ears/prefer something a bit more subtle than giant uterine forks dangling from your lobes, the earrings are also available as charms, pins, or necklaces.) </p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE0LzEyLzI4L2l1ZF8yLmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkNvbnRyYWNlcHRDcmVhdGlvbnMvRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE0LzEyLzI4L2l1ZF80LmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkNvbnRyYWNlcHRDcmVhdGlvbnMvRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><br><p></p><p>IUDs, or <a href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/birth-control/iud">intrauterine devices,</a> are small, T-shaped plastic devices that are inserted in the uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two kinds of IUDs: hormonal and copper, which acts<a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/iud" target="_blank"> as a natural spermicide</a>. Although getting an IUD is expensive—insertion can <a href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-info/birth-control/iud" target="_blank">cost up to $1,000 </a>without insurance—they last up to 12 years and are about 99 percent effective, giving them a distinct advantage over standard birth control pills.</p><p>ContraceptCreations is the brainchild of Natasha Miller, a women’s health research associate at Manhattan’s Institute for Family Health. She was inspired to create her Etsy store during a gift exchange at her office while she was working as a doula. </p><p>“I thought IUDs looked like jewelry, so I thought it’d be funny to make them for my boss, who’s a big IUD advocate,” she told the Daily Dot in a phone interview earlier this month. Through word of mouth, other people found out about Miller’s IUD earrings and started requesting their own pairs, prompting her to launch her Etsy store last September. </p><p>While IUD earrings are certainly unique, ContraceptCreations isn’t the only vendor for reproductive health-inspired jewelry. Other Etsy vendors hawk IUD <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/185602199/iud-earrings?ref=sr_gallery_3&amp;ga_search_query=iud&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">earrings</a> and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/180696078/wire-wrap-iud-medallion-copper-andor?ref=sr_gallery_1&amp;ga_search_query=iud&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank">medallions</a>, and back in 2006, Planned Parenthood Cleveland collaborated with a local artist to make <a href="http://jewelry-weblog.com/Pill_Jewelry.php" target="_blank">necklaces from expired birth control pills</a>. </p><p>Lest you start making a fuss about the questionable hygienic practice of crowdsourcing used contraceptives, Miller says the IUDs in the earrings aren’t real: they’re made of wire, copper, beads, and gold chains. </p><p>But that hasn’t stopped the earrings from sparking a dialogue about IUDs and birth control in general.&nbsp;</p><p>“People are either like, ‘Are those what I think they are?’ or they don’t know what an IUD is or what it looks like, so they have no idea what they are and someone else has to explain it to them,” Miller said. “So either way, the earrings open up discussion.”</p><p></p><div class="ddgce-embed ddgce-embedded-image" contenteditable="false" data-value="eyJ1cmkiOiIvL2NkbjAuZGFpbHlkb3QuY29tL3VwbG9hZGVkL2ltYWdlcy9vcmlnaW5hbC8yMDE0LzEyLzI4L2l1ZF8zLmpwZyIsImNyZWRpdCI6IkNvbnRyYWNlcHRDcmVhdGlvbnMvRXRzeSIsImNyZWRpdExpbmsiOiIiLCJjYXB0aW9uIjoiIiwid2lkdGgiOiIiLCJ0ZXh0d3JhcCI6IiIsInR5cGUiOiJpbWFnZSJ9"></div><br><p></p><p>Although Miller only sells IUD earrings on ContraceptCreations for now—she estimates she’s sold a little more than a dozen pairs so far—she plans to broaden the scope of the shop in the future. For instance, she says she’d like to do something with hormonal contraceptive implants, which are typically small tubes surgically implanted into a woman’s arm, and she was also inspired by a recent <em>Saturday Night Live </em>sketch about <a href="https://screen.yahoo.com/nuvabling-000000745.html" target="_blank">NuvaBling</a>, a blinged-out version of the hormonal contraceptive <a href="http://www.nuvaring.com/" target="_blank">NuvaRing</a>.</p><p>But she’s focusing on IUD earrings for now, especially because IUDs are experiencing something of a cultural resurgence as of late. The contraceptive recently got a <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2014/09/30/the_american_academy_of_pediatrics_recommends_the_iud_for_teenagers.html" target="_blank">glowing endorsement </a>from Amanda Marcotte of Slate, based on pediatricians’ <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2014/09/29/pediatrics-group-recommends-iuds-implants-as-best-birth-control-for-teen-girls/" target="_blank">recommendation</a> that sexually active teenage girls get IUDs. They even got a shout-out last year on <em>Real Housewives </em>star<em>&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.bravotv.com/dont-be-tardy/season-2/episode-210/videos?clip=2653609" target="_blank">Kim Zolciak’s Bravo reality TV show</a>. </p><p>“They’re starting to become popular,” said Miller, an IUD user herself. “There’s a new one out called Skyla, which is a little bit smaller. They’re kind of having a moment.”</p><p>But even though the culture at large is more open to discussing birth control and women’s reproductive health in general, there’s still something of a stigma attached to talking about IUDs.&nbsp;</p><p>For years, many doctors believed that IUDs led to an increased risk of infection, and avoided recommending the devices to women who had not yet given birth. My own mother, for instance, had warned me against getting an IUD, in light of a family anecdote about a cousin whose failed copper IUD was expelled while she was giving birth. (This is apparently a true and horrifying story.)</p><p>In recent years, however, medical professionals have <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/15/iud-facts-women_n_4555975.html" target="_blank">reversed their stance on IUDs</a>, on the grounds that they’ve significantly improved since the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/06/magazine/the-sad-legacy-of-the-dalkon-shield.html" target="_blank">faulty Dalkon Shield IUD</a> was yanked off the market in the '70s. By wearing her contraceptive of choice on her sleeve—or on her ears, as the case may be—Miller hopes to eliminate the stigma surrounding IUDs once and for all.</p><p>“There are all these myths around IUDs—that they’re bad for you, that they’re ineffective,” she explained, after I brought up past medical complications arising from IUD insertion, as well as my own family anecdote. “But the more they’re talked about, the less stigmatized they become, and suddenly they’re this cool form of birth control that people don’t know much about.”</p><p><em>Photo via </em><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/204470143/copper-iud-earrings-homemade-out-of-wire?ref=sr_gallery_1&amp;ga_search_query=iud&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery" target="_blank"><em>ContraceptCreations/Etsy</em></a></p>
ej@dailydot.com (EJ Dickson)Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/iud-earrings-etsy/EtsyLifestyleA vintage look with geeky flare: Pinafores!http://www.dailydot.com/geek/geek-pinafores-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/5c/41/5c41306ce7a15f5a6b5f3538fc33a083.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454">If you&rsquo;re looking to add a unique spin to your</span><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/geek-fashion/">&nbsp;geek fashion</a>,<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mtcoffinz?section_id=14453433&amp;page=1#">&nbsp;MTcoffinz</a>&nbsp;might have just what you need: pinafores. The<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">&nbsp;Etsy</a>&nbsp;shop sells handmade<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinafore">&nbsp;pinafores</a>, which are essentially sleeveless garments like aprons that you wear over your clothes. While these can be worn as aprons, the pinafores are a bit more stylish than the typical protective garment and can be worn for really any occasion where you want to dress up your fashion with a geek spin.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454">The store sells pinafores inspired by many different fandoms including anime, video games, movies, and more. The double circle skirts wrap around, tie in a bow at your waist, and have neck straps that can be tied like a halter top on your neck or tucked into the waistband.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Totoro.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Totoro.jpg" style="width:640px;height:593px;" /></a></span></p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/StarWars.jpg" style="width:640px;height:533px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The petticoat worn in the photos doesn&rsquo;t come with the pinafore but you can buy it separately through the same shop. The pinafores range in price from about $85 to $125. They sell other geeky items too, including some stunning dresses that start a little cheaper at $60.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454">Take a look at some of our favorite pinafores and dresses below. You can find these and more items on</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mtcoffinz?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav">&nbsp;Etsy.</a></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Ghostbuster.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Ghostbuster.jpg" style="width:640px;height:600px;" /></a></span></p>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/HarryPotter.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/HarryPotter.jpg" style="width:640px;height:612px;" /></a></span></p>
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&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/DoctorWho.jpg" style="width:640px;height:595px;" /></p>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/StarTrek.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/StarTrek.jpg" style="width:640px;height:604px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/SailorMoon.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/SailorMoon.jpg" style="width:640px;height:637px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Batman.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Batman.jpg" style="width:640px;height:613px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/IronMan.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/IronMan.jpg" style="width:640px;height:606px;" /></a></span></p>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Nightwing.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/30/Nightwing.jpg" style="width:640px;height:605px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<em><span id="docs-internal-guid-3544f728-62a7-a4d4-0389-768893a28454">Photos via</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/mtcoffinz?section_id=14453433&amp;page=1#">&nbsp;MTCoffinz/Etsy</a></em></p>
lisa@dailydot.com (Lisa Granshaw)Thu, 30 Oct 2014 20:43:47 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/geek/geek-pinafores-etsy/EtsyGeekDid Spirit Halloween rip off this Etsy dress design?http://www.dailydot.com/business/spirit-halloween-may-be-stealing-from-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/1e/ed/1eed7b391915166b1b343de5779b5f90.jpg'></p><p>
Thanks to <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/tumblr/">Tumblr</a>, we know that it&rsquo;s possible to <a href="http://charlesoberonn.tumblr.com/post/66499280225/lanactrlaltdelrey-so-my-mom-needed-a-dress-for">&ldquo;illegally&rdquo; download a dress</a>, but this could be wholesale intellectual property theft</p>
<p>
A&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/reddit/">redditor</a> noticed a striking similarity between a dress their cousin has been selling on <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a> since 2011 and a costume item that seasonal retailer Spirit Halloween began stocking just this year. <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/2kmuwm/on_the_left_is_my_cousins_dress_she_designed_and/clmw9at">Cue the lawyers</a>!</p>
<p>
The Etsy design is on the left, Spirit Halloween&rsquo;s on the right&mdash;not that you hope to could tell without the tag:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/29/is6WmxU.jpg" style="width: 540px; height: 540px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Photo via </em><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/2kmuwm/on_the_left_is_my_cousins_dress_she_designed_and/"><em>Reddit</em></a></small></p>
<p>
Sure, some could claim that all fashion is hopelessly derivative by nature, that frivolous copyright suits cost the industry millions, or even that the Etsy dress is a knock-off of one <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/2kmuwm/on_the_left_is_my_cousins_dress_she_designed_and/clmxcvm">modeled at New York Fashion Week in 2008</a>. But do we really want to be defending the sort of establishment that gouges you for $60 on a one-piece polyester pirate outfit? I think not.</p>
<p>
<em>Photo by </em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/7708872342/in/photolist-ca6pW-cKcSV7-cKcWys-9eopJm-cKcZb7-cKcwaJ-EXJ5-dWaDoR-isn82-jYLQyv-doyjEv-4kuBNN-6cwXyw-4h7sjq-6Wu7jP-5YoRJ2-9Cg1tZ-8gAKfj-6MEYT-mPB5Ha"><em>George Lu</em></a><em>/</em><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gzlu/"><em>Flickr</em></a><em> (CC BY 2.0)</em></p>
miles@dailydot.com (Miles Klee)Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:43:44 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/spirit-halloween-may-be-stealing-from-etsy/CrimeEtsyBusinessThe best of the best vagina jewelry on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/lol/etsy-vagina-jewelry/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/b2/2c/b22c094468504402434de2f4b3c9505f.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e"><em>Warning: This story contains sexually explicit material and may be NSFW.</em></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
We all know that&nbsp;<a href="http://dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a>&nbsp;is an online marketplace for vintage and hand-crafted jewelry, clothing and accessories. But did you know, gentle reader, that Etsy is also a one-stop shop for All Things Vagina? It&rsquo;s true. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/154665002/penis-or-vagina-doily-mature?ref=sr_gallery_1&amp;ga_search_query=vagina+doily&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">vagina doilies</a>. There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/search?q=vagina%20soap">vagina fragrant soaps</a>&nbsp;(which presumably just look like them, and don&rsquo;t smell like them). There are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/194906870/vagina-ornament-pink-shell-suit-vaginas?ref=sr_gallery_6&amp;ga_search_query=vagina+ornaments&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">vagina Christmas ornaments</a>. There&rsquo;s even this &ldquo;<a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/44005-a-realistic-vagina-pendant-is-available-on-etsy-so-you-can-wear-your-feminism-loud-and">gold vulva with pearl clitoris</a>&rdquo; pendant that Refinery29 discovered earlier this week, which is available for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/185536056/vagina-vulva-jewelry-vulva-pendant?ref=shop_home_active_20&amp;ga_search_query=vagina%2Bpearl">$15 via TypsyGypsies</a>. And they all look like what your college gender studies professor would have made had she put down the Judy Butler and picked up a pair of knitting needles.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
I&rsquo;m not a mathematician or anything, but I&rsquo;d estimate that at least 172 percent of Etsy&rsquo;s inventory is devoted to vagina-themed crafts. So in honor of Etsy&rsquo;s vaunted reputation as the Yahoo! Shopping for yonis, we&rsquo;ve assembled a sampling of the best of the best vagina-themed accessories on the website.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong>These &ldquo;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/69749035/mature-small-vagina-earrings-solid?ref=sr_gallery_8&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">mature small vagina earrings</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
Yes, they look unusually heavy. Yes, you&rsquo;ll never be able to wear them to a family function without your little cousin asking why you&rsquo;re wearing wrinkled grey apricots on your ears. But they&rsquo;re $39.99 and they&rsquo;re real sterling silver, so if you have an allergy to nickel (as I do, holla!), you can pay homage to your lady flower without setting your earlobes aflame.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/earrings_silver.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 374px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">This &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/201253968/silver-vagina-ringerotic?ref=sr_gallery_16&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">silver vagina ringerotic [sic]</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
I could totally see Charlotte Gainsbourg wearing this for some reason, because she is hip and French, and flashing a vagina ring while drinking wine and puffing Gauloises seems like something a hip French woman would do. Like, &quot;Screw you, society, je ne care pas about your wedding industrial complex.&quot; Or however you would say that in French.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/copper_ring.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 481px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">This &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/195550323/pussy-pendant-vagina-necklace-in-white?ref=sr_gallery_15&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_page=2&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">pussy pendant</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
&ldquo;Oh, this old thing? It&#39;s just my shaved V on a necklace. I got a Brazilian the other day and it looked so good that I had my esthetician, Sooyoung, take a photo of my business when she was done. Sooyoung was all, &#39;Eh, I dunno if you should go out in public wearing that,&#39; and I was all, &#39;Whatever, Sooyoung, it&#39;s a feminist statement on the commodification of female sexuality, but also, like, flirty and fun.&#39; Anyway, I think this first date is going really well. Jessica tells me you work for the Department of Sanitation? That must be interesting!&quot;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/vagina_necklace_1.jpg" style="font-size: 12px; width: 640px; height: 481px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">This &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/92324987/the-lovers-necklace-mature-brass-vagina?ref=sr_gallery_38&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_page=2&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">lover&rsquo;s necklace</a>&rdquo; with cut-out vagina and penis pendants.</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
For those who want to have really, really awkward tan lines when they come into the office after vacation.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/penis_vagina_necklace_2.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 593px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">These &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/175767120/vulva-vagina-feminist-earrings?ref=sr_gallery_8&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_page=3&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">vulva vagina feminist earrings</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
Because nothing says quirky fashion statement like a bunch of disembodied female genitals in a Mason jar.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/earrings.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 640px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">This &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/151600253/vagina-brooch?ref=sr_gallery_22&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">vagina brooch</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
Exhibit A: in which the prosecutor attempts to prove the defendant had deep-rooted psychopathic tendencies by showing how he murdered the class pet and tried to give it to the teacher as a Valentine.&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/vagina_brooch.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 474px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<strong><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">This &ldquo;</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/194522928/pretty-pastel-vagina-ring?ref=sr_gallery_17&amp;ga_search_query=vagina&amp;ga_search_type=handmade&amp;ga_view_type=gallery">pretty pastel vagina ring</a>.&rdquo;</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">
BRB, going to CVS; just got a craving for Peeps.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/10/13/pastel_ring.jpg" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px; width: 640px; height: 427px;" /></p>
<p>
<br />
<em><span id="docs-internal-guid-552efa51-1009-63af-244a-61a6c714047e">H/T Refinery29 | Photo by </span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/araswami/430199570/in/photolist-E1TkY-99vQUs-p7888R-ePRUDd-gQnCCT-2VJ6vx-fhhrsB-fHoZuw-4nvUrC-mSNorp-ebfTur-8ggemv-4GHUuG-2VeKX-oo7aLe-a9Dmqa-dK5Ecp-kKGZGh-oGxGtx-gQnkwD-gQnmre-6PtzCN-f4i4KA-9ApzYN-bsXJNN-9fYbPv-6CreoR-9FCSzL-6pz32Y-2ZMwC5-5TL2px-6AhBGh-bNifk8-Rw4j9-4CJyYw-5po4SU-gQnchH-dHB9x9-fn39P1-gQmgUb-gQm6AN-nW3oS6-4MVJms-nKsn8Q-9yLKpx-7mB2dq-eK8hds-4XjQnT-bc2h-4vVi1G">Swaminathan/Flickr</a> (CC BY 2.0)</em></p>
ej@dailydot.com (EJ Dickson)Wed, 15 Oct 2014 16:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lol/etsy-vagina-jewelry/LOLEtsyBring your comic book fashion dreams to life with these convertible dresseshttp://www.dailydot.com/geek/comic-book-fashion-dresses-little-petal/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/61/9c/619c429376de01175221462f02f6689e.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">Want to embrace your inner geek at a cocktail party or wedding? You might have a hard time finding appropriate and stylish&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/topics/fandom/">fandom</a>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/fashion">fashion</a>&nbsp;for the occasion. Unfortunately, going to a mainstream store and finding a Wonder Woman-inspired dress that is both chic and reminiscent of the character is rarely possible&mdash;yet.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittlePetalNYC#">Little Petal</a>&rsquo;s Danielle Ward, however, is offering women a solution with her&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">Etsy</a>&nbsp;shop.</p>
<p>
Founded in 2012, Little Petal was originally just a custom alternative wedding dress company. Ward focused on making bridal gowns that combined traditional silhouettes with color accents inspired by characters from comics books, anime, TV shows, and more. While she enjoyed creating these gowns, she also wanted to make something girls could wear anytime. The idea for Little Petal&rsquo;s current line of convertible dresses came last spring when the violinist of Ward&rsquo;s favorite band asked her for a solid navy convertible dress that she could wear on her upcoming tour, doing away with the need to bring 10 different types of dresses along.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/Zatanna.jpg"><img alt="Fan fashion wedding dress inspired by Zatanna. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/Zatanna.jpg" style="width:640px;height:339px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Custom comic book-themed wedding dress inspired by Zatanna.</em></small></p>
<p>
&ldquo;I made a couple more solid color ones, then thought how much more interesting these dresses would be if they were multiple colors. There are many companies who sell convertible dresses, but they only really exist as one color or two colors: the skirt being one and the straps being the other,&rdquo; Ward told the Daily Dot. &ldquo;I decided to utilize color blocking within the skirts and straps to really make the inspiration obvious.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
The first dress she designed this way was inspired by Wonder Woman, and almost immediately she discovered a consumer base.</p>
<p>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">&ldquo;I asked a friend if she would like the dress, and she was ecstatic. I put up a&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/facebook/">Facebook</a>&nbsp;status asking if any girls would want dresses based on Batman, Wolverine, a TARDIS, She-Hulk, Sailor Moon, and Harley Quinn for myself, at cost of fabric and all of the characters were taken within hours,&rdquo; Ward said. &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t mind making the dresses without being paid for labor because I really just needed to get the designs out of my head and constructed into garments! I was not expecting the level of excitement girls would feel for my company.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/WonderWoman.jpg"><img alt="Wonder Woman-inspired dress by Little Petal " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/WonderWoman.jpg" style="width:640px;height:668px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Wonder Woman</em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughShe-Hulk.jpg"><img alt="She-Hulk-inspired dress by Little Petal " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughShe-Hulk.jpg" style="width:640px;height:907px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>She-Hulk</em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughBatman.jpg"><img alt="Batman-inspired dress by Little Petal" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughBatman.jpg" style="width:640px;height:913px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<em><small>Batman</small></em></p>
<p>
The overwhelming response to Ward&rsquo;s idea confirms that there is a hungry market for pop culture-themed fashion. Ward believes these characters are great inspiration for dresses because fans identity with them so strongly.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;They see something in them that reminds them of themselves-&mdash;whether they like it or not. My company gives women the opportunity to not only feel like these characters, but also look like them-&mdash;without feeling like they are wearing a costume,&rdquo; she said.</p>
<p>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">The number of styles each dress can be converted into is quite impressive. On&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/youtube/">YouTube</a>&nbsp;Ward and a number of models show the different ways dresses can be worn and offer advice for converting them.</p>
<p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="365" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KI-0YReO45g" width="649"></iframe></p>
<p dir="ltr">
It takes a lot of work to create dresses that not only have many unique ways to wear them, but also keep the colors recognizable in every style. Ward works 12 hours or more a day, seven days a week. Her goal is to get customers their dresses as quickly as she can because she sees how excited they are for the product. A solid color dress can take up to five hours to make while others can take anywhere from 10 to 14 hours.</p>
<p>
She receives most of her requests via Etsy. The process for customers differs depending on if they want a dress design that already exists or a new one. Those who choose an existing design place an order and send Ward four measurements. Those who want a new design give their measurements to Ward and then talk to her about the color blocking. The first thing Ward does is consider what the character&rsquo;s costume would look like as a dress. From there, she develops an initial design and sits on it a bit before pushing herself to come up with something even better. Upon request, she&rsquo;ll send customers a sketch of what she has in mind.</p>
<p>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">&ldquo;Certain dresses have accents for the characters eye or hair color, or if they wear a shirt under their vest, or if their boots are thigh high. For the Lumpy Space Princess inspired dress, I used a layer of lavender and a layer of yellow and scalloped their hems to look like a cloud,&rdquo; Ward explained. &ldquo;For the Donatello from TMNT [</span>Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles] inspired dress, I used an olive green because his skin is a slightly different green than the rest of the turtles. I focus extremely hard on the small details within costumes to make sure what I am creating is very accurate, but not over the top.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/lumpyspaceprincess.jpg"><img alt="Lumpy Space Princess Adventure Time inspired dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/lumpyspaceprincess.jpg" style="width:640px;height:505px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Lumpy Space Princess</em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/lumpyspaceoption.jpg"><img alt="Lumpy Space Princess Adventure Time dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/lumpyspaceoption.jpg" style="width:640px;height:505px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>One way to convert the Lumpy Space Princess dress into a new look.</em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/LSPskirt.jpg"><img alt="Lumpy Space Princess Dress hemline in progress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/LSPskirt.jpg" style="width:640px;height:543px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<em><small>The Lumpy Space Princess dress cloud hem in progress.</small></em></p>
<p>
Usually Ward tries to keep her prices to $200 per dress, as long as she can finish it in a day, even if it means not making much per hour. She likes to charge the same no matter how complicated a dress is because she doesn&rsquo;t want her customers to ever have to settle as a result of not being able to afford anything more expensive.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I would rather take the pay cut then have to design a dress I am not totally happy with putting my customer in. I understand that $200 can be a lot of money, so I want to know that my customers really feel like it was money well spent. A couple of my girls told me they just view it as spending $10 on 20 different dresses that are all super comfortable,&rdquo; Ward said.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/RainbowBriteTwirl_9290.jpg"><img alt="Rainbow Brite dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/RainbowBriteTwirl_9290.jpg" style="width:640px;height:913px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">Ward&rsquo;s Rainbow Brite dress is an extra $50 for being time consuming and having eight colors of fabric that cost $130.</span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/brite.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/brite.jpg" style="width:640px;height:960px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">According to Ward, the strap linings &ldquo;are seven even panels of fabric each that are over one hundred inches in length.&rsquo;</span></p>
<p>
If it&rsquo;s not a new design, the dress is shipped the morning after it&rsquo;s completed. If it is a new design, Ward will do a photoshoot first. Little Petal is based in Brooklyn, so a customer that lives close enough can model their own dress for the photoshoot. If they live too far away, Ward asks permission to have someone locally model it. This way the customer can see what different convertible styles of the dress look like on a girl with a similar figure. Customers then receive their dresses in two days after Ward ships them priority mail the morning after the shoot.</p>
<p>
One of the best aspects of Little Petal&rsquo;s product photos is that the women modeling have a range of body types, showing&mdash;unlike many name brands in geek fashion&mdash;that there are all kinds of women interested in these pop-culture-inspired looks. It&rsquo;s something larger brands sadly tend to ignore, using models who all have a similar body type.</p>
<p>
Ward considers all of her models friends whether she knew them before they placed a dress order or not, and she thinks all her customers, whether voluptuous or petite, are beautiful.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I really felt that if my models owned their dress, it fit them perfectly and was a character they truly identified with&mdash;they would look great even with no modeling experience simply because they would be happy, and I was right&hellip;&rdquo; Ward said. &ldquo;Every one of them comes to the studio and tells me they don&rsquo;t look good in photos, they&rsquo;ve never modeled, and they don&rsquo;t know what to do-&mdash;but they&rsquo;re excited anyway and every one of them looks great.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/11/Sailormoon.jpg"><img alt="Sailor Moon dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/11/Sailormoon.jpg" style="width:640px;height:505px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?f=realtime&amp;q=%23DWWorldTour&amp;src=typd">Sailor Moon</a></span></em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughHarley1.jpg"><img alt="Harley Quinn dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughHarley1.jpg" style="width:640px;height:913px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<em><small>Harley Quinn</small></em></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc"><a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughTMNT.jpg"><img alt="Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello dress by Little Petal. " src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/6/10/ConvertibleLaughTMNT.jpg" style="width:640px;height:913px;" /></a></span></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Donatello</em></small></p>
<p dir="ltr">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">Many people have suggested Ward try to mass produce her dresses for a larger audience, but she said she loves the work too much.</span></p>
<p>
&ldquo;The entire process is very hands-on, from talking one-on-one with the girls to creating their dress for them. Mass-producing them would eliminate this,&rdquo; she said.</p>
<p>
From the way Ward talks about her models and the process behind her dresses, it&rsquo;s clear she cares about her customers. The final product is more than the income and recognition she receives from the shop.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I love all of the people I have met through this and that the garments I have created have the ability to have such a huge effect on people&hellip;&rdquo; Ward said. &ldquo;All I have ever wanted to do was to create something beautiful based on something I adore. Now I get to, every day. I don&rsquo;t know too many people who get to say that so I consider myself very fortunate.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<em><span id="docs-internal-guid-66db0c2b-ce14-56aa-55ec-42ecc0e761bc">Photos via Danielle Ward/</span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittlePetalNYC">Little Petal</a></em></p>
lisa@dailydot.com (Lisa Granshaw)Tue, 24 Jun 2014 14:07:26 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/geek/comic-book-fashion-dresses-little-petal/EtsyGeekDad illustrates the weirdest things he's said to his childrenhttp://www.dailydot.com/lol/dad-illustrated-posters-kids-quotes/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/3e/9d/3e9d2df1340e383e12f88effe6ba5731.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
Kids may say the darndest things, but as often as not, it&rsquo;s the parents who find themselves uttering unlikely phrases as they attempt to wrangle their progeny. Rather than lose these magical sentences to the dustbin of history, Iowa dad <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nripperger/">Nathan Ripperger</a> is illustrating them in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/nripperger?ref=l2-shopheader-name">posters</a> that would make fine additions to any family home&mdash;available on <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a>.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
Whether it&rsquo;s trouble with bathroom routines, inappropriate public behavior, or one sibling&rsquo;s inventive tortures for a little brother, there&rsquo;s no shortage of odd imperatives and questions.</p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/28/Screen_Shot_2014-03-01_at_9.24.33_AM.png" style="height: 844px; width: 640px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/3/1/Screen_Shot_2014-03-01_at_9.24.16_AM.png" style="height: 302px; width: 640px;" /></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/28/Screen_Shot_2014-03-01_at_9.21.36_AM.png" style="width: 640px; height: 859px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/28/Screen_Shot_2014-03-01_at_9.24.02_AM.png" style="width: 640px; height: 234px;" /></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/28/Screen_Shot_2014-03-01_at_9.20.55_AM.png" style="width: 640px; height: 832px;" /></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Illustrations via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nripperger/sets/72157623153953686/#">Nathan Ripperger</a>/<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nripperger/">Flickr</a></em></small><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
It&rsquo;s only a matter of time before Ripperger has spoken enough fatherly wisdom to create a child-rearing guide that anticipates every bizarre impulse a miniature human can have. Then couples considering having their own might know what they&rsquo;re getting into. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
<em>H/T <a href="https://twitter.com/MeredithFrost/status/439523506498576384">@MeredithFrost</a> | Photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40959269@N05/4154118296/in/photolist-7k5WDf-7qdBLZ-7rdanA-7rrrPy-7vW1Yy-7wjNyn-7woB9s-7xsVky-dp6ZRc-gjGJc1-7T4Yqo-bnRuzE-bCSVAr-7T51SN-iN2Rmz-iN2TGX-cBgdDq-dp743x-dp7baS-dCAzVu-fYQ6Gy-aRJwTt-9CjBEt-9CgsbM-9CjmKf-bAdkPS-bP7Xo8-dp71sa-hbaaPi-aWgBNM-aWgCVr-aWgCgk-aWgC4r-aWgCsR-aWgCFB-buuUYL-dpDWjA-dpDLCK-dpDVPW-dpDWB3-dpDW5u-dpDVzQ-dpDLRD-dpDWtJ-dpDLnV-dpDWSG-dpDVsN-dpDMrz-fiMB1S-fiMvX9-fixm9x">Simon Dean</a>/<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simondeanmedia/">Flickr</a></em></p>
miles@dailydot.com (Miles Klee)Sat, 01 Mar 2014 16:04:25 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lol/dad-illustrated-posters-kids-quotes/LOLEtsy12 essential tips for successful selling on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/business/12-tips-etsy-small-business-success/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/58/2c/582c05e828b2bfdecb8bab5df9feb3c3.jpg'></p><p>
<a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/101229255?__source=pd|sharktank|Google&amp;par=pd/" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/17/sharktankprofitbadge.jpg" style="width: 150px; height: 125px; float: left;" /></a></p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">Etsy</a>&nbsp;has helped many makers, artisans, and crafters bring their work and products to a much wider market on the Web. Yet any successful Etsy-prenuer will tell you that setting up your shop is only the first step to a successful business. You have to pay attention to the details, and even more so to your customers, if you&rsquo;re going to stand out from your competitors.</p>
<p>
Below we offer 12 essential tips for taking your Etsy shop to the next level. While some of these tips apply directly to the Etsy marketplace, many will be familiar to any small business owner. They&rsquo;re tried-and-true practices that are necessary for achieving success with for your products.</p>
<p>
<strong>What other pieces of advice do you feel all Etsy-prenuers need to know to get the most from their shops? Share your own tips with us in the comments, or tweet at us using the hashtag #SharkTankTuesdays (don&#39;t forget to mention @dailydot) to be entered into a random drawing for&nbsp;<em>Shark Tank</em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>The Profit</em>&nbsp;prize packs.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/18/il_570xN.486314400_fbxx.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 460px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Photo via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/150617256/throw-pillow-in-cream-swirl-rosette-and?ref=favs_view_2&amp;atr_uid=10930515">Mollyannemake</a>/Etsy</em></small></p>
<p>
<big><strong>1) Do your market research</strong></big></p>
<p>
Your shop doesn&rsquo;t exist in a vacuum. It&rsquo;s part of a vibrant marketplace. Before you set up your wares for sale, give some in-depth attention to the shops you like best. What are they doing right? What do you think they could do better? It&rsquo;s not simply a matter of recognizing best practices, but also understanding where you can make your own mark in the market with your shop and goods. Also pay attention to your competitors and stores selling similar items to your own. You should have a good idea of what your products will sell for, not just what you think they are worth, and when sales cycles are strongest.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>2) Be a part of the community</strong></big></p>
<p>
Even before you open your shop, being a great citizen of the Etsy community can go a long way. Provide valuable feedback and participate on the site&rsquo;s forums. Reach out to your favorite sellers and ask for their advice, and consider helping promote others&rsquo; items that you love and that you think your customers will appreciate. Being conscientious of others sellers can help them, and eventually help your own store as well. Often the audience of your favorite shops can serve as a valuable crossover as you build your own, and having support from established sellers will go a long way when you are just getting started. Likewise, listen to feedback that you get from the community and respond with appreciation.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/17/il_570xN.552296241_nnds.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 428px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<em><small>Photo via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/176134168/stained-glass-honeycomb-drops-set-of-14?ref=shop_home_feat_2">BespokeGlassTile</a>/Etsy</small></em></p>
<p>
<big><strong>3) Have great product photography</strong></big></p>
<p>
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and with online shopping, that may be even more true. Make sure that your products are photographed in ways that make them stand out, with vibrant colors and professional standards. You don&rsquo;t need to employ a professional photographer, but make sure you have a good camera and are presenting your wares in a good light. Quality photography not only makes your products look their best, but it also signals that you are a trusted and quality seller that cares about what you are presenting. Those details go a long way.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>4) Practice great customer relations</strong></big></p>
<p>
Similarly to how you present your products, how you present yourself is important to potential customers. Reply promptly to questions and feedback, and respond generously to any problems your customers may have. This is key to not only building trust with potential customers&mdash;but also in building repeat business. Your best advertising will always be thrilled and satisfied customers, people who will recommend your shop to their friends and with whom you can establish a real and lasting relationship. Great customer service isn&rsquo;t always easy, but it&rsquo;s key to a lasting success.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>5) Offer deals and keep your shop updated</strong></big></p>
<p>
Deals and specials, especially for your loyal customers, encourage return visits, and show appreciation on your part for your community. Often a special sale is the perfect incentive to get a customer to pull the trigger on that purchase they&rsquo;ve been eyeing, but more importantly it can help generate revenue during slower sales cycles and keeps customers coming back to check on items in your shop. Similarly, it&rsquo;s important to keep your shop updated with new products frequently. This can be difficult when you first begin, but pace out your products out according to a schedule that correlates with your knowledge of the sales cycle for your shop, which will become even more finely tuned as you gather experience. Updating your products also often signals a vibrant business and encourages frequent returns to see what&rsquo;s new.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/17/il_570xN.562019631_itqm.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 570px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Photo via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/178713080/personalized-candlesticks-with-portraits?ref=shop_home_feat_1">ToddBorka</a>/Etsy</em></small></p>
<p>
<big><strong>6) Have great packaging</strong></big></p>
<p>
It&rsquo;s exciting to finally receive your Etsy purchase, but even more exciting when time and detail has gone into great, quality packaging. It&rsquo;s like receiving an added product bonus for the customer, and it signals that you truly care and appreciate their business. This doesn&rsquo;t mean simply packaging well but packaging creatively. It&rsquo;s an opportunity to add a bit of unexpected personality to your shop for your customers, and as the Etsy community is already a vibrantly creative audience, the extra effort and personal touch of a handwritten thank you or unique wrapping will be appreciated and likely earn you a loyal customer.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>7) Study Etsy relevancy and A/B test your tags</strong></big></p>
<p>
Etsy does a great job of helping sellers understand how to optimize their goods so customers can find them through searches of the site. Take time to dive into Etsy&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/10713/etsy-relevancy-seo-and-stats">Relevancy guidelines</a>&nbsp;and suggestions, and make sure that the items in your shop have appropriate and effective tags and titles. Be distinct and detailed but also pay attention to how other shops are tagging their items, and check often how you are performing in search results. And experiment with different approaches, A/B testing how you tag products to see what works best. Often the results will surprise you, and give you great insight into what customers are looking for.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/18/il_570xN.562825406_k6pg.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 456px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Photo via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/106966699/nine-lives-cat-pullover-cat-sweater?ref=shop_home_feat_1">Nicandthenewfie</a>/Etsy</em></small></p>
<p>
<big><strong>8) Advertise and A/B test descriptions</strong></big></p>
<p>
When you have built up your shop a little bit, test the waters with advertising on the Web. You should start small and try different descriptions and headlines for your ads. You can experiment with different networks to find out what generates the most leads. Try Google Adwords, Facebook ads, and maybe even some network blog ads, but A/B test your descriptions to see what resonates best. This will help not only in bringing new customers to your shop, but also in how you write the descriptions of the products themselves, optimizing them for what your customers want.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>9) Keep SEO in mind</strong></big></p>
<p>
A great deal of your potential customers will come through Web searches, so making sure that your Etsy shop is set up for great Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a must. Consider everything from your shop name to your section titles. Some A/B testing with ads will help show you what customers are responding to and how best to optimize your listings. But search engines also lend weight to inbound links from trusted sites to your shop, so consider seeking reviews for your products, reaching out to influencers, or even starting your own blog or contributing to others, providing links to your shop. It&rsquo;s about expanding your network and influence in ways that not only contribute to the broader community but can extend your reach. Keeping your shop frequently updated will also help with search engine results as well.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>10) Start thinking of your shop as a brand</strong></big></p>
<p>
This should apply not just to your shop but to yourself as well. Being a part of the community, having distinctive packaging, and contributing posts to other blogs are all part of the bigger picture of building your reputation and establishing your brand. Consider creating a distinct logo for your shop, and be sure that it is prominent on all your listings, ads, and packaging. Your brand will become a stamp of approval and trust for new customers, and it will signal the quality you represent to the community. And as your brand gains traction, be generous to other sellers you admire who are trying to build their own. Consider doing cross promotions and lending your support and approval. A rising tide lifts all boats, and their success will only increase your own.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="//cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/2/18/il_570xN.560441631_346u.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 428px;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: right;">
<small><em>Photo via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/175839517/made-to-order-your-new-boyfriend?ref=shop_home_active_14">Nowvember</a>/Etsy</em></small></p>
<p>
<big><strong>11) Provide a newsletter and social updates</strong></big></p>
<p>
Being a valued part of the Etsy community is important, but ultimately you want to build your own community as well. You want to establish touchpoints where you can reach out to your customers frequently, and encourage loyalty. But don&rsquo;t think about all your own self-promotion&mdash;think of the value you can provide for your customers. Whether that is through a unique and entertaining voice, expert advice, or even recommendations outside your own shop, you want to make sure that your communications have value and further a good relationship with your community. Be active and responsive across your social networks, and let your personality shine through your brand.</p>
<p>
<big><strong>12) Go to events and meetups</strong></big></p>
<p>
Running a virtual shop can have its downsides, especially when you are trying to establish a real connection with customers. So consider how you can carry your shop and brand into the real-world as well. Go to conventions and meetups where your customers and fellow sellers participate, and be generous with your time and advice. Making that real-life connection helps put a face to your name and brand, and those moments go a long way in establishing trust. Have distinctive business cards that represent your brand, and follow up with the people you meet. Putting yourself out there in person can be exhausting and time consuming, but nothing is stronger than those real-world connections.</p>
<p>
<em>For more inspiration on getting your Etsy store up and running, tune in to&nbsp;</em>Shark Tank<em>&nbsp;every Tuesday starting at 8pm ET and watch entrepreneurs in action. Can&rsquo;t get enough business advice? Be sure to watch Marcus Lemonis give struggling small businesses the chance of a lifetime on the Season 2 premiere of&nbsp;</em>The Profit&nbsp;<em>Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 10 ET</em><em>&mdash;</em><em>only on <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/101229255?__source=pd%7Csharktank%7CGoogle&amp;par=pd/">CNBC</a>.</em></p>
<p>
<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="365" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NjZYvyoWO2U?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="640"></iframe></p>
<p>
<em>Photo by&nbsp;</em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mujitra/"><em>MIKI Yoshihito (&acute;</em><em>･</em><em>&omega;</em><em>･</em><em>)</em></a><em>/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)</em></p>
<apps.feed.feeds.NoneAuthor object at 0x7f84a4198d90>Tue, 18 Feb 2014 20:01:25 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/12-tips-etsy-small-business-success/EtsyBusinessBuy your cat $500 battle armor and she'll never lose a fighthttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/cat-battle-armor-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/d2/47/d247055e6540993afe5bc2ec60014a1a.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
Cats have evolved as hunting machines, but you wouldn&rsquo;t know it from domestic kitties today who spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and trying not to look guilty when you catch them eating their own vomit (J&rsquo;accuse, kitty. J&rsquo;accuse).</p>
<p dir="ltr">
If you fear your furry friend has gotten too complacent, turn that sluggish kitty back into a bloodthirsty warrior with this leather cat battle armor, available for $500 on Etsy.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
&nbsp;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/1/9/cat_costume_2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2014/1/9/cat_costume_2.jpg" style="width:640px;height:813px;" /></a></p>
<p dir="ltr" style="text-align: right;">
<em>Photo via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/schnabuble?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Schnabuble</a>, Etsy</em></p>
<p dir="ltr">
Designed by Etsy seller Schnabuble, the cat battle armor features articulated plates, a &ldquo;terrifying rack of dorsal spines,&rdquo; and &ldquo;exquisitely arrayed overlapping scales&rdquo; adorned with &ldquo;nickel silver dome rivets.&rdquo;</p>
<p dir="ltr">
The garment also features grommeted, corset-style lacing &ldquo;for a secure, comfortable fit&rdquo; and a ring at the torso for an optional leash.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
Shockingly, this is not the first time someone on the Internet has designed battle armor for cats. In 2008, a Canadian artist named Jeff de Boer designed a&nbsp;<a href="http://jeffdeboer.com/Galleries/CatsandMice/tabid/77/moduleid/433/viewkey/photo/photoid/120/Default.aspx">chain-link cat battle costume</a>&nbsp;made of nickel, aluminum, leather, and brass for his &ldquo;Cats and Mice&rdquo; series. Yet de Boer apparently did not attempt to put the garment on the market&mdash;a great loss for the burgeoning feline military apparel market, but a gain for Schnabuble and her Savannah cat Selani, who is featured as a model on the Etsy listing for the body armor (she does an OK job, but goes a little heavy on the smize, IMHO).</p>
<p dir="ltr">
At $500 for what looks like a miniaturized version of a renaissance fair costume, the garment is pricy, even if it turns its wearer into &ldquo;an unstoppable force for slaughter,&rdquo; as Schnabuble promises in the Etsy listing.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
Yet for those who&rsquo;ve always dreamed of re-enacting the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4uDFX07n34">Arya/Syrio Forel Game of Thrones sword-fighting scene&nbsp;</a>with their pet, the cat body armor is a must-have.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
<em>Photo via&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/175112598/cat-battle-armor?ref=shop_home_active_1">Schnabauble</a>/Etsy&nbsp;</em></p>
ej@dailydot.com (EJ Dickson)Thu, 09 Jan 2014 23:25:05 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/cat-battle-armor-etsy/EtsyLifestyleThis $500 Daft Punk helmet might be the most awesome gift on Etsyhttp://www.dailydot.com/business/daft-punk-helmet-etsy/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/d2/42/d24272d056bc9713c00755c2bb8cc547.jpg'></p><p>
Stuck on gift ideas this Christmas? After all, you can&rsquo;t get the <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/beyonce-secret-itunes-album-broke-the-internet/">new Beyonc&eacute; album</a> for <em>everyone</em>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Etsy does a roaring trade in nerd esoterica at this time of year, from the ubiquitous sci-fi fan T-shirts to an endless array of Benedict Cumberbatch&ndash;inspired tchotchkes. But every once in a while, something does rise above the rest. Case in point: this startlingly realistic Daft Punk costume.</p>
<p>
Daft Punk is an instantly recognisable cosplay idea, but the specific helmets are quite tricky to build yourself. Thanks to this Etsy seller, you can now look just like robot Thomas, including a programmable LED message scroller over the visor.</p>
<p>
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/12/13/daftpunk.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/12/13/daftpunk.jpg" style="width: 570px; height: 379px;" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The creator writes, &ldquo;I made one of these for halloween and everyone wanted to buy it, right there,&rdquo; which we can well believe. Who <em>wouldn&rsquo;t</em> want a Daft Punk costume? The helmet alone is enough to transform any boring outfit into an instant display of futuristic cool, but the costume also includes gloves so every available inch of human skin can be carefully roboticized for the full Daft Punk look.</p>
<p>
The costume will set you back a cool $500, but considering the fact that it&rsquo;ll make you Harder, Better, Faster <em>and</em> Stronger, it&rsquo;s probably a sounder investment than most Christmas presents.</p>
<p>
<em>Photos via </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/107051286/daft-punk-thomas-helmet-complete-outfit"><em>Etsy</em></a></p>
gavia@dailydot.com (Gavia Baker-Whitelaw)Sat, 14 Dec 2013 16:59:11 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/daft-punk-helmet-etsy/EtsyBusinessIs 'handmade' still an Etsy guarantee?http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-guidelines-sweatshop-manufacturers-handmade/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/2e/14/2e14b894987ce970676d7c9082c2734a.jpg'></p><p>
Earlier this year, one <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/etsy/">Etsy</a> seller <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-jewelry-sellers-guidelines-mits/">took 38 painstaking photos</a> documenting the creation of a blue gemstone bracelet in order to try to convince the crafts site that their products were genuinely handmade. But it wasn&rsquo;t enough: Etsy shut down the site because it hadn&rsquo;t sufficiently proved its items weren&rsquo;t made by machine.</p>
<p>
Now, under new guidelines that Etsy has allegedly practiced for some time but is just now codifying, that seller might be eligible to reopen its shop. But Etsy community members are outraged at what they see as deceptive business practices on the part of the store, and what they claim are attempts to lure consumers into buying cheap factory-made items under false pretenses.</p>
<p>
Tuesday, Etsy held a livestreamed <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/13062689/">Town Hall meeting</a> in Brooklyn, largely to discuss major changes to its member guidelines and policies, which it <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/13091751/">announced Tuesday morning</a>. The new guidelines completely overhaul the old store policies, which Etsy claims had grown bloated and confusing for users. In their place are separate guidelines for members, buyers, and sellers&mdash;including a loosening of previous restrictions on how sellers collaborate and manufacture their products.</p>
<p>
Etsy is now allowing stores to work with other store manufacturers and work with people from remote locations. &ldquo;Hire help if you need it or collaborate, even from different locations,&rdquo; <a href="http://www.etsy.com/new-guidelines">is Etsy&rsquo;s cheery way</a> of describing the change.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
The problem? Some of those &ldquo;helpers&rdquo; <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-brave-new-economy-crumbling/">are actually just factories in China</a>. As cheap, labor-exploiting products from unscrupulous manufacturers have made their way into the Etsy community, more pressure has grown from concerned sellers and community members to take a firmer stance against manufactured products. Instead, it seems that Etsy may be moving in the opposite direction, notifying sellers that &ldquo;with approval, you can work with outside manufacturers to help produce your designs.&rdquo; Despite what Etsy claims is a rigorous approval process, many members of the community are skeptical that the new, relaxed standards will do anything but allow more cheaply made products to slide in disguised as &ldquo;handmade.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
&ldquo;In reality, it destroys what Etsy is meant to be,&rdquo; commented <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/tumblr/">Tumblr</a> user <a href="http://indiaroseatkinson.tumblr.com/post/62855225486/etsy-now-allows-outsourced-and-mass-produced-goods">indiaroseatkinson</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
They are now allowing people to sell items made by children or other under paid workers in third world countries&hellip; Not only has Etsy ignored sellers who placed items in the marketplace that came from these factories, but now, they are actually defending allowing them&hellip; They actually want their sellers to lie to customers to try and make more money (because, of course, if the sellers make more money, then Etsy does).</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
&ldquo;You can use sweatshops and sell on Etsy,&rdquo; <a href="http://joyceoates.tumblr.com/post/62862716645/the-end-of-handmade-on-etsy">commented</a> joyceoats on Tumblr. &ldquo;It might be time for me to say &lsquo;goodbye&rsquo; to Etsy, after all these years.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
A <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/14IEEztYZsLPzU-tfNd6RqaeSjTtlTv8WSXWuxEtgTvY/edit">public, usermade GoogleDoc</a> recapping Tuesday&rsquo;s Town Hall rundown sums up the primary changes and complaints within the Etsy community:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
1. There is no limit to how many people you can hire to help with your shop or where they can be located, as long as as you are the designer of what is manufactured</p>
<p>
a. Your items can now be manufactured in a factory by large amounts of machines or people and still be listed as &quot;handmade&quot; so long as you designed it</p>
<p>
b. There will be no separation between small handmade sellers who actually hand make products, and &quot;handmade&quot; sellers who have their designs manufactured - meaning both of these will be defined as handmade, there will be nothing separating them in the market place</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
It&rsquo;s easy to see how Etsy members might be worried, not only that factory-made products might be made with deceptive labor, but that those items would overshadow actual handmade items, making it difficult for small sellers to compete with similar factory-issued products. &ldquo;The money is speaking to [Etsy] and it&rsquo;s going to push us one man hobbyists to the curb,&rdquo; <a href="http://fancyfoxdesign.tumblr.com/post/62831708732/etsy-to-let-sellers-hire-staff-use-manufacturers">wrote</a> Etsy seller fancyfoxdesign on Tumblr.</p>
<p>
Etsy assured members that the rules would still allow them to weed out products from unscrupulous factories by forcing any outside partners to comply with Etsy standards, and insisting that any shop working with manufacturers apply through Etsy&rsquo;s Integrity team.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
But Etsy&rsquo;s stated wish to &ldquo;help existing sellers grow&rdquo; <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-brave-new-economy-crumbling/">favors shops like Laonato</a>, a South Korean shop that&rsquo;s still up and running despite allegedly reselling wholesale products at a giant profit hike. Reselling is forbidden by the Etsy code, but Laonato is a popular merchant&mdash;perhaps too popular for Etsy to scrutinize too closely. Indeed, larger shops like Laonato and <a href="http://etsycallout.wordpress.com/">other lucrative shops that engage in reselling</a> have been the driving force behind Etsy&rsquo;s changing standards, as businesses struggled to grow on the site while still keeping up with the strict rules. But Etsy has now officially decided that &ldquo;handmade&rdquo; no longer means made solely by the shop owner using non-industrialized tools, which means that resold items could potentially be rebranded as items <em>designed</em> by the shop owner, and factory workers listed as assistants.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
No wonder members are skeptical that Etsy&rsquo;s Integrity team might not be up to the task of keeping the nuances straight.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;[E]tsy&rsquo;s &lsquo;new guidelines and policies&rsquo; are like a big FUCK YOU to all the legitimate shop owners who actually make things by hand and care about their work,&rdquo; <a href="http://snooxeisen.tumblr.com/post/62868515624/etsys-new-guidelines-and-policies-are-like-a">fumed</a> Tumblr user snooxeisen.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Numerous sellers have tried to bridge the gap by asking Etsy to simply distinguish between shops that sell industrial-made products and those which don&rsquo;t. &ldquo;All they would have to do is make a new selling category to go along with handmade, supply, and vintage,&rdquo; <a href="http://missmarlabee.tumblr.com/post/62832900817/oh-etsy">pointed out</a> Tumblr user missmarlabee:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
This would include mass produced: prints, 3D printed items, printed tee&rsquo;s, things made by knitting machines, sewing machines, machines in general, etc&hellip;.</p>
<p>
BUT the thing with Etsy is always deceit&hellip; Etsy will not make a way to differentiate between mass producers and genuinely handmade sellers because they will lose the consumers that give them money the most.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
But consumers, too, were disappointed by the change. &ldquo;Etsy was the one place I could go to shop and know that my products were not &#39;outsourced&#39; and were truly unique,&rdquo; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Etsy/posts/10151896734284727?comment_id=27764165&amp;offset=0&amp;total_comments=139">commented</a> <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/facebook/">Facebook</a> user Jamie Aust on the announcement. &ldquo;If I wanted a product that was mass produced I would go to walmart or any other big box store... Etsy WILL lose support over this... Really sad.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
We&#39;re waiting on an official statement from Etsy. But its changing mission statement may say all it needs to say.</p>
<p>
<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20101116064554/http://www.etsy.com/about">In 2010</a>, its About page read, &ldquo;Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade.&rdquo; <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20120309152815/http://www.etsy.com/about">In 2012</a>, it had updated to assert that &ldquo;Etsy is the world&rsquo;s handmade marketplace. Our mission is to empower people to change the way the global economy works.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/about?ref=ft_about">Today</a>, buying and selling is front and center in Etsy&rsquo;s current mission statement.</p>
<p>
The word &ldquo;handmade&rdquo; is nowhere to be found.</p>
<p>
<strong style="font-size: 12px;">Update: </strong>Etsy&#39;s&nbsp;Sara Cohen provided the following statement Thursday afternoon.</p>
<p>
<em>The goal of the high degree of transparency that we&rsquo;re requiring now &mdash; from exactly how many people work in your shop to what outside manufacturers you may partner with &mdash; is to allow Etsy shoppers to have greater insight, awareness and choices, not less. Our aim is to connect people through commerce, and share the stories behind items. Yesterday&rsquo;s announcements are just a first step in providing more ways for sellers to share those stories. We know the transparency achieved in our first iterations is modest, and it&rsquo;s modest by design. We wanted to get feedback from Etsy sellers first, rather than just pushing a radical change to the marketplace.</em></p>
<p>
<em>For the first time ever, we&rsquo;ve built in a pre-approval mechanism for selling items because we want to tightly control how manufacturing assistance gets implemented in the marketplace. In order to apply, a user has to already have an Etsy shop. We are looking closely at their history on the site as part of the review process, so we are not, counter to what some have suggested, welcoming an influx of new sellers.</em></p>
<p>
<em>This also isn&#39;t us throwing open the gates to any manufacturer, anywhere. Sellers will be required to demonstrate a very high degree of knowledge and involved working relationship with the partners they choose &mdash; from the tailor down the street to a jeweler&#39;s casting studio to a textile mill &mdash; as well as telling us how their business has developed to the point where they need outside help.</em></p>
<p>
<em>We do not condone labor-exploiting practices. Sellers on Etsy are always required to follow all local laws and adhere to our ethical expectations for manufacturing partners:<a href="http://www.etsy.com/help/article/4647" target="_blank">http://www.etsy.com/help/article/4647</a>.</em></p>
<p>
<em>Handmade has never been black-and-white and to try to build a fence around certain processes or methods was not scaling with our community. With these policy changes, our aim is to give sellers more choice and more options for how they run their business. This announcement is about strengthening the Etsy community by making the rules fair and clear.</em></p>
<p>
<em style="font-size: 12px;">Photo via </em><a href="http://etsy.com/"><em>Etsy</em></a></p>
aja@dailydot.com (Aja Romano)Wed, 02 Oct 2013 13:05:32 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-guidelines-sweatshop-manufacturers-handmade/EtsyBusinessMore of your favorite video games as Little Golden Bookshttp://www.dailydot.com/lol/little-golden-book-video-games/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/9f/0f/9f0f1b6cf01a93e386a992a48f8cc1ae.jpg'></p><p>
Earlier this summer, we <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/little-golden-books-portal-bioshock-skyrim-spiotto/">showed</a> you how artist Joey Spiotto combined two interests from his childhood, Little Golden Books and video games, in a series of prints. He <a href="http://jspiotto.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Video%20Games">merged</a> the look of the children&rsquo;s series with three games he felt had a major impact on the industry: <em>The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim</em>, <em>Portal</em>, and <em>Bioshock</em>.</p>
<p>
Last week he decided the first series had received such a good response that he&rsquo;d create another set of mashups. This one featured the games <em>Red Dead Redemption, Half Life 2</em>, and <em>Mass Effect</em>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I&#39;ve heard from a few of the game creators who all love what I did with their creations. People really seem to love them, and want to put them in their kids&rsquo; rooms, which for me, is pretty awesome,&rdquo; Spiotto told the Daily Dot.</p>
<p>
While these games are certainly not child-friendly, the covers and taglines Spiotto has created make it seem like the stories could actually work as Little Golden Books.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Spiotto would love to do more video game&ndash;Little Golden Books mashups in the future. He said his next set might be more platform-specific, focusing on party games from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.</p>
<p>
While his books may not be real (yet), you can <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/joebot?ref=l2-shopheader-name">purchase</a> a print of each cover at Spiotto&rsquo;s <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">Etsy</a> store. Take a look at the latest series below.</p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<em>Red Dead Redemption</em></h3>
<p>
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/25/LittleRedDead-BLOG.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/25/LittleRedDead-BLOG.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 750px;" /></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>
Don&#39;t be too eager to grow up. It ain&#39;t as much fun as it looks.</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<em>Half Life 2</em></h3>
<p>
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/26/HalfLifeBlog.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/26/HalfLifeBlog.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 750px;" /></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>
So, wake up, Mister Freeman. Wake up and... smell the ashes.</p>
</blockquote>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<em>Mass Effect</em></h3>
<p>
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/25/MassEffectBlog.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/9/25/MassEffectBlog.jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 750px;" /></a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>
I&#39;m sorry, I&#39;m having trouble hearing you&mdash;I&#39;m too busy playing with my toys.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<em>Photos via </em><a href="http://jspiotto.blogspot.co.uk/"><em>jspiotto.blogspot.co.uk</em></a></p>
lisa@dailydot.com (Lisa Granshaw)Fri, 27 Sep 2013 15:19:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lol/little-golden-book-video-games/GamingLOLEtsyWhy Etsy's brave new economy is crumblinghttp://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-brave-new-economy-crumbling/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/57/6c/576cd8ed2363b4287d2fc3a7ee239445.jpg'></p><p>
One of the biggest consumer markets in the world resides in a river valley about 200 miles southwest of Shanghai. You can find almost anything you want in Commodity City&#39;s half-million stalls: baby bibs,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.yiwugou.com/hu/0561419.html">knitting supplies</a>,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.yiwugou.com/hu/0447462.html">sundry types of underwear</a>, T-shirts,&nbsp;<a href="http://en.yiwugou.com/hu/01A5883A1.html">glitzy jewelry</a>.</p>
<p>
The market is the literal and figurative heart of Yiwu, a metropolis of 1.3 million people that bustles under the sticky, industrial haze of Zhejiang province. Journalist Tim Phillips has called Yiwu the &quot;Wall Street&quot; of China&#39;s counterfeit goods industry&mdash;an accurate, if somewhat narrow, label. The city&#39;s factories flood the shelves of Commodity City and the rest of the world with a lot more than just knock-off iPhones and pirated Hollywood DVDs. They relentlessly pump out the type of cheap consumer goods you&#39;re used to seeing at shopping mall kiosks and street-side trinket stands.</p>
<p>
It&#39;s in part because of factory cities like Yiwu that&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy">Etsy</a>, an online marketplace that specializes in handcrafted goods, has become so successful. Since launching in 2005, Etsy has ridden an Internet-powered counter-industrial revolution, adding a personal and DIY touch to goods&mdash;everything from sweaters to Christmas ornaments. Craftsmakers have fled to Etsy to escape the price-cutting effects of big-box stores and their walls of factory-made products.The crafts marketplace has formed an alternate commercial universe with 30 million members and nearly 1 million stores, all ostensibly running on human labor and handmade goods.</p>
<p>
It goes without saying that If Yiwu-type products began infiltrating Etsy, they&#39;d upend the market&mdash;the same way Walmart destroyed your local department store or Barnes &amp; Noble ended the era of the corner book shop.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/26/etsy.png" style="width: 249px; height: 233px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
Take a look at the &quot;<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/617943642/Infinity_ring_in_silver_infinity_symbol.html">Infinity Ring</a>,&quot; a delicate brass loop coated with a silver sheen and topped with rhinestones and crystal. In&nbsp;<a href="http://daihe.en.alibaba.com/company_profile.html">pictures</a>&nbsp;of the factory where it&#39;s made, you can see rows of workers in surgical masks bent over dusty tables, not far from bulky industrial machines. From ports in Ningbo and Shanghai, the Yiwu Daihe Jewelry Corp. exports the ring to anywhere in the world at 50 cents a piece.</p>
<p>
You can buy it on Etsy&#39;s most popular jewelry store&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/100903070/infinity-ring-in-silver?ref=shop_home_active&amp;ga_search_query=infinity%2Bring">for $15</a>.</p>
<p>
How? To most Etsy users, the obvious answer is that Laonato, the store, is buying the rings wholesale from the factory, then pawning them off as handmade goods, reaping a monstrous 2,900 percent profit. That practice is known as &quot;reselling,&quot; and it&#39;s a subject of intense controversy on the site. But like with a lot of things on Etsy&mdash;where the entire economy operates behind the shroud of the Internet&mdash;easily drawn assumptions and reality rarely align as neatly as you&#39;d expect.</p>
<p>
As its leaders struggle to redefine the company&#39;s corporate identity, the blurry, ungraspable truth about the Infinity Ring hints of a chronic ailment at Etsy&#39;s core&mdash;one that could undermine the company&rsquo;s ambitious plans and the marketplace as a whole.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/25/infityring.png"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/25/infityring.png" style="width: 640px; height: 360px;" /></a></p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<big><strong>Robot charm</strong></big></h3>
<p>
In 2010, Chad Dickerson, Etsy&#39;s chief technology officer, made a list of things he liked on the site, something just about every Etsy user has done at some point. He called it &quot;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjAzNjM5NHw1OTYxNjY/welcoming-our-new-overlords?ref=pr_treasury">Welcoming our new robot overlords</a>,&quot; and it was a curated selection of some of his favorite robot-themed tchotchkes. Something Dickerson failed to notice, like a lot of other unsuspecting Etsy users over the years, was that one of his chosen items was actually factory-born.</p>
<p>
The &quot;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/news/etsy-chad-dickerson-reseller-controversy-regretsy/">robot charm necklace</a>,&quot; as it was called, had no business being on Etsy, much less the CTO&#39;s hand-picked list of favorites. And it was a testament to the company&#39;s spotty record policing mass-produced merchandise that it would stay there for two years without anyone noticing.</p>
<p>
Indeed, many critics, including the now defunct site&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/regretsy">Regretsy</a>, have suggested Etsy lets resellers slide because it makes the same 3.5 percent cut off every sale, whether the goods are handmade or not. Etsy store owners have become so furious over this entrenched reseller problem they launched watchdog&nbsp;<a href="http://etsycallout.wordpress.com/">blogs</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/9650/down-with-reselling-resellers">forum groups on Etsy itself</a>, where members have for years carefully recorded and reported every instance of a mass-produced good they can find. Regretsy even featured a regular segment called &quot;not remotely handmade.&quot;</p>
<p>
That&#39;s not to say Etsy doesn&#39;t try to stop resellers. When users flag an item, the report heads to the site&rsquo;s Marketplace Trust and Integrity Team, usually referred to as MITS, which is basically Etsy&#39;s customs department. An algorithm called SCRAM (<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2010/tech-update-scram-resellers/">Systems for Catching Resellers and Abusers of the Marketplace</a>) also sniffs out some of the more obvious signs of reselling.</p>
<p>
When a store receives enough reports from either users or SCRAM, the team will usually begin an investigation. For store owners it&rsquo;s a somewhat laborious procedure. They&#39;re compelled to detail their process with step-by-step photos and long questionnaires, all to prove their goods really do abide by Etsy&#39;s rules<em>.&nbsp;</em>But as thorough as it may seem, SCRAM&#39;s investigations can still&nbsp;<a href="http://www.handmadeology.com/etsy-shop-suspended-what-you-need-to-know/">backfire</a>. That&#39;s what happened in February when husband and wife duo Ming and Ingrid got booted from the site, despite&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-jewelry-sellers-guidelines-mits/">painstakingly chronicling their process</a>&mdash;not once but twice.</p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<strong><big>&#39;A mass-produced tchotchke shop&#39;</big></strong></h3>
<p>
Etsy has always been about more than just a collection of online storefronts. In 2008, the company&#39;s &quot;About&quot; page spoke in grandiose terms of building &quot;a new economy&quot; that would reconnect &quot;buyers with sellers&quot; who would &quot;buy, sell, and live handmade.&quot; This wasn&#39;t just some soulless ecommerce site&mdash;it was a&nbsp;<em>lifestyle</em>. Etsy soon became the engine of a burgeoning online handcrafting movement, a proof of concept that a separate universe of handmade goods could not just exist but flourish.</p>
<p>
But there were cracks built into the foundation&mdash;resellers being an obvious and intractable example. There was also limit to just get how big crafters could grow before they needed to leave, meaning that users might start their business on Etsy, but they had to move elsewhere to really grow their business.</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/26/etsy1.png" style="width: 300px; height: 286px; float: left;" /></p>
<p>
In May 2012,&nbsp;<em>Wired&#39;s</em>&nbsp;Rob Walker captured Etsy&#39;s existential crisis&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wired.com/design/2012/09/etsy-goes-pro/">with a profile of Terri Johnson</a>, an Etsy businesswoman who complained of becoming a &quot;one-woman sweatshop&quot; incapable of growing or taking a break as she struggled to fulfill the orders pouring in. In the real world, she might have just taken on some investment, bought a small factory, and hired a staff to churn out the orders. But Etsy&#39;s rules stipulated that everything needed to be handmade; outsourcing your labor to others wasn&#39;t allowed, nor was using industrial machines.</p>
<p>
By 2011, many of Etsy&#39;s most successful stores were considering jumping ship.</p>
<p>
Rather than opening the Etsy umbrella wider by fiddling with the rules, the site&#39;s cofounder and then-CEO Robert Kalin doubled-down, refusing to budge on the handmade ethos. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
So the board kicked him out.</p>
<p>
In July 2011, the company&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/our-next-chapter-at-etsy/">promoted</a>&nbsp;Dickerson to CEO, and he immediately went about rewriting what Etsy was about. Some of Dickerson&#39;s changes were small, focusing on functional benefits to a broad swath of the community, like implementing a payment system for mobile devices. Others targeted sellers like Thompson, including a change that&nbsp;<em>Wired&#39;s</em>&nbsp;Walker characterized a &quot;startling departure&quot; for the company: allowing sellers to self-identify as &ldquo;designers&quot; and outsource production. Store owners could now have a third party assemble part of a product, even by machine, so long as that contribution didn&#39;t amount to a &quot;majority share&quot; of the final product. Here&#39;s Etsy&#39;s rule on the subject:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
&quot;A third-party vendor may be used for intermediary tasks in some crafts. Acceptable examples include, but are not limited to: printing the seller&#39;s original artwork, metal casting from the seller&#39;s original mold, or kiln firing the seller&#39;s handcrafted ceramic work.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
As Dickerson and other leaders went about reinventing Etsy, users began digging through his history. That&#39;s when Regretsy&#39;s April Winchell discovered Dickerson&#39;s &quot;robot charm necklace,&quot; still sitting there two years after he&#39;d favorited it.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I love the irony of welcoming our new overlords,&rdquo; one user wrote at the time, referring back to the title of Dickerson&#39;s list. &ldquo;Why not just make etsy a mass-produced tchotchke shop and call it a day. there&#39;s got to be a better way.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
The discovery of the factory-made necklace was like a gallon of gasoline tossed into a brush fire. There had already been a groundswell of outrage in April 2012, after Etsy&#39;s official blog posted&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/featured-seller-ecologica-malibu/">a glowing profile</a>&nbsp;of Ecoligica Malibu, a California store that sold furniture made from reclaimed wood. Etsians alleged the furniture was actually assembled in a Bali factory, imported to California, and resold as handmade goods. They had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-reseller-ecologica-malibu-controversy/">solid evidence</a>, too, including the fact that Ecilogica Malibu shared an address with a wholesale retailer in California.</p>
<p>
Etsy, ignoring those specific complaints,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/news/etsy-defends-accused-reseller-ecologica-malibu/">explained</a>&nbsp;that Ecilogica Malibu, despite hiring a small team of workers, was operating entirely with the rules. It was a &quot;collective,&quot; a vague term that basically allows entire shops to run, so long as each crafter assembles a different part of the final product.</p>
<p>
According to Etsy&#39;s rules, that might look like this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
One artist screen prints fabric, then another artist sews clothing from the fabric. The finished product is listed in a collective Etsy shop.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
With Dickerson&#39;s changes, however, a store can also now outsource its designs to a machine cutter, which makes a larger collective sound more and more like an assembly line, with each &quot;member&quot; simply being one step in the assembly process.</p>
<p>
In May, 3,500 stores&mdash;or about 1 percent of Etsy&rsquo;s total marketplace&mdash;closed&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/business/protest-etsy-global/">shop entirely</a>&nbsp;for a day to protest what they saw as the company&#39;s anemic response to the reseller problem. It was an unprecedented moment in Etsy&#39;s history. A few months later, Ecologica Malibu mysteriously&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/news/etsy-reseller-ecologica-malibu-vanishes/">disappeared</a>&nbsp;from Etsy.</p>
<p>
The company responded to the strike by buffing up its MITS team with more staffers. But the reseller problem hasn&#39;t gone anywhere. Just last month, Etsy users complained that the site featured&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12659350/">a factory-made item in a promotional email</a>. And the comments section to a recent&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/notes-from-chad-10/">blog post</a>&nbsp;from Dickerson was littered with complaints about resellers.</p>
<p>
&quot;Please, please be honest with your Etsy community and let us know where resellers stand in the future of Etsy,&quot; one shop owner wrote. &quot;It is wonderful we are 30 million strong, but if a large portion of those millions are resellers then we are not gaining but losing.&quot;</p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<big><strong>Handmade wholesale</strong></big></h3>
<p>
Then there&rsquo;s the Infinity Ring, one of just many products you can find on Laonato that appears to originate from Yiwu. Laonato, which is based out of South Korea, dominates jewelry sales on Etsy, according to independent analytics site&nbsp;<a href="http://craftcount.com/category.php?cat=3&amp;subcat=11">Craftcount</a>.</p>
<p>
Take the &quot;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88736289/owl-and-moon-necklace-in-silver?ref=shop_home_active&amp;ga_search_query=owl%2Band%2Bmoon%2Bnecklace">owl and moon necklace</a>,&quot; for instance, which is made by the &quot;Yiwu Colorstone Commerce Firm&quot; and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/1007903014/Owl_with_Moon_Necklace_fashion_sale.html">sells on China wholesale site Alibaba</a>&nbsp;for $1 to $2.50 apiece (a minimum order of 600 is required). Laonato sells it for $20. At $29, the store&#39;s &quot;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97404633/leaf-ring-in-sterling-silver?ref=sr_gallery_5&amp;ga_search_query=leaf+ring&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_search_type=all">leaf ring</a>&quot; is a pretty good deal, too. The Yiwu Xiloo Jewelry Firm can ship 20,000 of the exact same ring for 50 cents each. The leaf ring, the owl and moon necklace, and the Infinity Ring are all&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/102440167/sterling-silver-bay-leaf-ring?ref=sr_gallery_4&amp;sref=sr_f5fcf4045f48871387fdc2219ec0567bac92694e0d6666cca449fdc955d39d6f_1377286785_14241541_ring&amp;ga_search_query=leaf+ring&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_search_type=all">sold</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/155080869/infinity-ring-sterling-silver-cubic?ref=sr_gallery_12&amp;ga_search_query=infinity+ring&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_ref=auto1&amp;ga_search_type=all">other</a>&nbsp;Etsy&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/120656736/owl-and-moon-necklace-silver-n0567-sv?ref=sr_gallery_11&amp;ga_search_query=owl+and+moon+necklace&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=US&amp;ga_search_type=all">stores</a>, meaning someone, somewhere, is probably selling a factory-made good.</p>
<p>
I found the above items in about five minutes, after copy-and-pasting names from Laonato listings into the Alibaba search engine. It&#39;s certainly suspicious. So why haven&#39;t they been banned?</p>
<p>
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/26/etsy3.png" style="width: 300px; height: 320px; float: right;" /></p>
<p>
Since Etsy was ignoring my emails, I reached out to Laonato directly. The store&#39;s owner politely explained I had everything backwards. They weren&#39;t pawning Chinese manufactured goods as real merchandise.</p>
<p>
Chinese manufacturers, the rep said, were stealing their designs and photographs.</p>
<p>
&quot;This is our biggest concern recently,&quot; she wrote. &quot;Of course, we buy and use some pendants, charms and beads from the suppliers. but these items are made by myself and my staffs.&quot; That staff amounts to the owner, her two sisters, and a packer, she told me.</p>
<p>
Etsy&#39;s MITS team, the rep continued, had already reached out and asked for photographs of their production process, just the same as they did with Ming and Ingrid. In Laonato&#39;scase, the MITS team was satisfied with the shop&#39;s evidence.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Laonato sent the same photographs to me but asked that we not publish them. In one, you can see tools and materials laid out on a work bench. In others, you can see a worker pulling wiring taught, a plastic mold for a ring, and an image of the computer design file for the ring. All in all, there was nothing that implied the photographs couldn&#39;t have been taken in China, and nothing to imply they weren&#39;t taken in South Korea.</p>
<p>
For its part, Yiwu Daihe Jewelry Factory denies the allegation it&#39;s stealing photographs and designs. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
&quot;There&#39;s no need to steal other&#39;s design, we have our own designer who can develop kinds of jewelry,&quot; spokesman Mango Du wrote. &quot;The photos of the infinity ring in our website were taken in kind,&quot; she continued, attaching two photographs that showed piles of the rings on what looks like a black velvet tabletop.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/25/pilesofrings.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 630px;" /></p>
<p>
You can start to see the conundrum Etsy finds itself in. How can it accurately inspect the manufacturing processes of a million shops from all over the world, especially when the company&rsquo;s changed focus to such a broad and vague extent that the word &quot;handmade&quot;&nbsp;<a href="http://etsy.com/about.php">no longer even appears in its mission statement</a>? The only way to really prove a thing would be to undertake on-site inspections, and that would be prohibitively expensive.</p>
<p>
If Laonato&#39;s allegations are true&mdash;if it really is the victim&mdash;the store is still benefiting mightily from Etsy&#39;s rule changes. If everything their rep told me is true, then the company is still no one-person shop. It&#39;s a four-person assembly-line of skilled workers, churning out jewelry that&#39;s pre-cut by machines at a fraction of the expense of a single worker laboring by hand. Laonato even offers orders in &quot;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/laonato/policy?ref=shopinfo_policies_leftnav">wholesale</a>,&quot; a word that, a few years ago, would have been hard to imagine ever being legitimately associated with an Etsy store.</p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<big><strong>Counterfeit futures</strong></big></h3>
<p>
Laonato&#39;s story might seem hard to believe, but there are actually a lot of Etsy stores getting ripped off by Chinese manufacturers&mdash;a second front in what seems like an uncoordinated war on the site&#39;s hobbyists and single-person shops.</p>
<p>
Trish Hadden&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CreationsByTiana">bags are definitely handmade</a>. The 53-year-old flight attendant from Albuquerque, N.M., sews her personalized label into each one, which she sells for anywhere between $12 for smaller purses to $60 for a handbag.</p>
<p>
But like with Laonato&#39;s jewelry, you can find Hadden&#39;s bags on Alibaba&mdash;the commerce site that connects Chinese manufacturers to wholesale purchasers around the world and claims to be as big as <a href="http://dailydot.com/communities/amazon">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/ebay">eBay</a> confined&mdash;where they&#39;re offered by the Hangzhou Dawnjoint Business and Trading Company for $3 to $4 apiece. The company, based out of the capital city of Zhejiang province, didn&#39;t respond to a Daily Dot request for comment. It&#39;s been plundering more than Hadden&#39;s designs. The firm has stolen her photographs&mdash;which included images of her hand-sewn, personalized tag&mdash;and superimposed their own store&#39;s logo on top.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/25/tina.png"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/25/tina.png" style="width: 640px; height: 268px;" /></a><br />
<small><em style="font-size: 12px;">The photos of Hadden&#39;s bag (left) were copied by Hangzhou Dawnjoint Business and Trading Company and posted directly to Alibaba (right).</em></small></p>
<p>
Other Chinese manufacturers are doing the same thing. By last week, Hadden told me that nearly every other product on Allibaba&#39;s &quot;<a href="http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/chevron-tote-bag.html">chevron tote&quot; bag listing</a>, for instance, was a design stolen from Etsy users, which she backed up with links to the items on both Etsy and Alibaba. Four of those Etsy store owners confirmed to me that they never gave Alibaba suppliers permission to copy their items.</p>
<p>
Alibaba&#39;s leadership has actually taken a fierce anti-piracy stance in recent months. Founder and chairman Jack Ma has called counterfeits a &quot;cancer we have to deal with.&quot; A group of Alibaba brass are set to visit the U.S. later this month, where they&#39;ll have earnest discussions with corporate and government interests in three American cities about intellectual property issues.</p>
<p>
This sudden PR campaign comes, not coincidentally, a few months before the company&#39;s much-anticipated initial public offering. Alibaba wants to calm investors who are rightfully skittish over its toothless track record combating counterfeit goods.</p>
<p>
Like Etsy, Alibaba did not respond to a request for comment on this article. But a representative did post a message to the Etsy forums, where Hadden has been marshaling users to complain about the problem. The rep assured the forum that Alibaba was taking their claims very seriously&mdash;that it was moving quickly to rein in counterfeiting, including &quot;partnering with five key government and law enforcement agencies in China to tackle piracy problems&hellip; head on.&quot;</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
&ldquo;We are happy to report that, working in close collaboration with the Etsy community, we are making great progress in cracking down on merchants on Alibaba who violate the intellectual property rights of Etsy artisans.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
Living up to its word, Alibaba has since since removed many of the counterfeit goods Hadden discovered. But one shop I spoke to, TriggerDesigns, has already seen their bags reappear on another Alibaba storefront and have, in turn, already filed another complaint.</p>
<p>
That&#39;s the future of copyright enforcement on Alibaba: If Etsy store owners want to protect their designs, they&#39;ll have to drop the sewing needles, plop down in front of their computer, and scour Alibaba for a few hours every day. Because no one will do it for them.</p>
<h3 style="color:red;">
<big><strong>Commodity City</strong></big></h3>
<p>
I was first tipped to all the resold and counterfeit items on Etsy by Joan Fritsch, 52, who lives in suburban Chicago. She&#39;s been planning to open up a jewelry shop on Etsy for a while, but says she can&#39;t compete with the rock-bottom prices from stores like Laonato.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
&ldquo;I&#39;m not sure I want to sell on Etsy because of all the things I see on there. It just undercuts the whole community.&rdquo;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
Hadden is losing enthusiasm too. She&#39;s been sewing since the age of 11 and would love to leave her stewardess gig behind. But trying to get her Etsy store off the ground is &quot;a struggle,&quot; she said&mdash;not just because Chinese manufacturers are stealing her designs, but because of resellers.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
&quot;There&#39;s is a ton of competition on Etsy. I&#39;ve noticed it&#39;s being flooded with resold stuff. People are buying bags and slapping monogram on it and calling it handmade. It&#39;s not handmade if it&#39;s a leather bag and it&rsquo;s $15.&quot;</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
This catch-22 is a sadly predictable result of Etsy&#39;s rule changes: The company wants to cash in on the success of its most popular storefronts, so it&#39;s changed the rules to keep them on site. That&#39;s created a highly competitive market for hobbyists or small-time crafters, scaring some away.</p>
<p>
One has to wonder if former-CEO Kalin&#39;s unwillingness to compromise on Etsy&#39;s principles might have been a strategic decision, and not a product of naive idealism. Sure, Etsy lost money when it failed to accommodate growing businesses. But it also kept its hundreds of thousands of other storefronts happy in the knowledge that no one backed by a production line was going to price them out of business.</p>
<p>
There are still hundreds of thousands of store owners loyal to Etsy, or at least dependent on it. But now, Etsy&#39;s protective shell is looking more and more fragile. Lone craftspeople are being squeezed on three fronts: the proliferation of mini factories that fit uneasily into Etsy&#39;s vague new rules, the Chinese manufacturers stealing user designs, and Etsy storefronts brimming with factory-made goods.</p>
<p>
How long until browsing Etsy isn&#39;t much different than taking a stroll in Commodity City?</p>
<p>
The brave new economy is starting to look a lot like the old one.</p>
<p>
<em>Illustration by Jason Reed</em></p>
kevin@dailydot.com (Kevin Morris)Tue, 27 Aug 2013 14:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-brave-new-economy-crumbling/EtsyBusinessHow Etsy helped launch Portland's chic new vintage shophttp://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/simply-vintage-boutique-etsy-portland/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/7d/e6/7de6bb401381486a7d327a2d16032e49.jpg'></p><p dir="ltr">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/SimplyVintageBoutique">Simply Vintage Boutique</a>&nbsp;has some of the best curbside appeal in Portland, Ore. The store is ideal for window shopping, lined with cocktail dresses and evening wear from the &lsquo;40s, &lsquo;50s, and &lsquo;60s&mdash;the sort of stuff that looks like it belongs on a <em>Mad Men&nbsp;</em>set.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
Sarah Deaton-Zaayer&rsquo;s storefront looked much different two years ago: It was on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy">Etsy</a>, an online marketplace for artisan crafts and DIY fashion. &nbsp;</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I felt like I was living two separate lives,&rdquo; Deaton-Zaayer told the Daily Dot, referring to how she split her time between work and online retail. &ldquo;After five-plus years in the corporate world, I decided I wanted to try just selling vintage clothing.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
With rockabilly tattoos and a classic pinup smile, Deaton-Zaayer started with her own wardrobe, modeling and selling the timeless frocks she picked up from years of bidding on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/ebay/">eBay</a>. In 2011, she opened&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/stutterinmama?ref=pr_shop_more">StrutterinMama&rsquo;s Simply Vintage Boutique</a>&nbsp;on Etsy, &nbsp;where she&rsquo;s completed over 1,300 sales to date, with customers as far away as Australia to Spain.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/6/dressedup.gif" style="width: 590px; height: 483px;" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
For every sale, Deaton-Zaayer was able to reinvest in her business. For every two dresses sold, she was able to buy two more. She continued to step up her operation bit by bit as it got bigger.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;I kept wanting to beat myself,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;When I had 50 items I wanted to next hit 75, then 150.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
In April, she made the rare leap to a physical storefront, located in the hip Belmont neighborhood. &nbsp;She runs it almost entirely herself, with the help of a shop girl who works a few hours a week. Her online strategy has shifted accordingly. &nbsp;Etsy now serves an extension and inventory of her catalog, and she&rsquo;s selling some products right off of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/instagram/">Instagram</a>&nbsp;and her&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/facebook">Facebook</a>&nbsp;page.</p>
<p>
Many retails try to establish a presence on Etsy. It&rsquo;s far more rare for the roles to be reversed, with an a successful online shop opening up real doors. But it makes sense that it would happen in Portland of all places. Etsy has a strong presence in the area, with a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/5454/pdx-etsy-portland-etsy-team">PDX team</a>&nbsp;devoted to local networking between sellers. In fact, as an April Fool&rsquo;s joke in 2012, Etsy released a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2012/etsy-acquires-city-of-portland/">press release</a>&nbsp;that claimed it had acquired the city.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;Portland has been the bedrock of our customer base for years,&rdquo; noted CEO Chad Dickerson.</p>
<p dir="ltr">
So far, the success of her shop has exceeded her expectations, which has made finding enough inventory stressful. Deaton-Zaayer now looks everywhere for clothing, including thrift shops, garage sales, and from customers looking to sell or trade.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/6/simply004.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/6/simply004.jpg" style="width:590px;height:409px;" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&ldquo;Etsy was doing great, but I knew I was missing out on the Portland vintage scene, which is huge; it&rsquo;s a destination for vintage collectors,&rdquo; Deaton-Zaayer said.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;The funny thing is that in the beginning items that weren&rsquo;t selling on Etsy sold fast in the shop. Sometimes it&rsquo;s hard to depict an item and how great it is online, but in person people get it.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
It&rsquo;s an easier sell. It&rsquo;s hard to replicate the experience of physically browsing through dresses and trying them on in real time. On Etsy, you need to put a lot into the presentation from the item description, photos, and social media marketing, just to get that initial click.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;It kind of validates me, having a retail shop because people can see it [my products] and touch it,&rdquo; she explained.</p>
<p>
Deaton-Zaayer&rsquo;s shop may be small, but she said every piece is special. She never has any filler, and each piece has been cleaned and repaired to like-new condition.</p>
<p>
As for what she would advise others looking to transition from online to offline retailer, Deaton-Zaayer said that in a lot of way, her strategy is the same for both: It&rsquo;s about her personal style and presence, and taking the time to go that extra step. &nbsp;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/5/simply003.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://cdn0.dailydot.com/uploaded/images/original/2013/8/5/simply003.jpg" style="width:590px;height:392px;" /></a><br />
&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&ldquo;People like coming in and knowing I&rsquo;ll be there and have the expertise available to help them. I help with fitting and finding the right style,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I can tell people about a product&rsquo;s era and why that style was popular at that time.</p>
<p>
&ldquo;You need to work a million hours in a retail shop and build a loyal customer base like on Etsy. That&rsquo;s how you be successful.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
<em>Photos via Sarah Deaton-Zaayer, GIF by Fernando Alfonso III</em></p>
lisa@dailydot.com (Lisa Granshaw)Fri, 16 Aug 2013 13:00:00 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/lifestyle/simply-vintage-boutique-etsy-portland/EtsyLifestyleEtsy bans items made from endangered animalshttp://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-endangered-animal-ban/<p><img src='//cdn0.dailydot.com/cache/0b/b0/0bb0b29ed7f8284e606366a6d29799fe.jpg'></p><p>
<a href="http://www.dailydot.com/communities/etsy/">Etsy</a> has banned items made from a number of animals, including endangered and threatened species, through the marketplace.</p>
<p>
The community <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/policy-update-prohibited-animal-products/">now prohibits</a> the sale of items made from the following animals:</p>
<ul>
<li>
Bear</li>
<li>
Cheetah</li>
<li>
Chimpanzee</li>
<li>
Chinchilla</li>
<li>
Elkhorn and Staghorn Coral</li>
<li>
Cougar</li>
<li>
Eagle</li>
<li>
Elephant</li>
<li>
Gorilla</li>
<li>
Jaguar</li>
<li>
Lemur</li>
<li>
Leopard</li>
<li>
Lion</li>
<li>
Lynx</li>
<li>
Monkey</li>
<li>
Ocelot</li>
<li>
Rhinoceros</li>
<li>
Seal</li>
<li>
Sea lion</li>
<li>
Tiger</li>
<li>
Wallaby</li>
<li>
Whale</li>
<li>
Zebra</li>
</ul>
<p>
Also banned are items from species deemed threatened or endangered by the U.S. Endangered Species Act. The full list is available at the <a href="http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/pub/listedAnimals.jsp">U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website</a>.</p>
<p>
Etsy&#39;s updated policy bans items and materials including fur, ivory, teeth, bones, and taxidermied animals. Both new and vintage items made from those animals are disallowed, whether or not those trying to sell them have permits allowing them to do so.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
There is an exception for Native Alaskans &quot;who use traditional subsistence methods,&quot; Etsy said in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/policy-update-prohibited-animal-products/">a blog post</a>. Those artists can continue selling &quot;items made from animal materials as long as they adhere to <a href="http://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/section-10.html">applicable U.S. laws</a>.&quot; The restrictions <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/help/article/4416">apply to all other Etsy members</a>, including those based outside of the U.S.</p>
<p>
Etsy says its team is getting in touch with those whose listings are affected by the change and will remove listings where necessary.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Among those likely to be affected is <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/tags/livejournal">LiveJournal</a>&#39;s <a href="http://www.dailydot.com/culture/livejournal-fur-hide-bone-profile/">Fur, Hide, and Bone community</a>, which runs an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/teams/8923/fur-hide-and-bone">Etsy team</a> selling taxidermied items and other animal products.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
Etsy hinted in its post that some are likely to be upset by the move, noting all &quot;policy decisions are complex.&quot; However, the mood in the discussion thread for the policy shift seemed to be a happy one.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
&quot;Spaz (my chinchilla) did a happy dance when he heard that his fur has been banned,&quot; wrote <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12715475/page/1?post_id=180890297">Robyn Mazza</a>.</p>
<p>
&quot;I&#39;ve noticed an insane amount of illegal products here on etsy and its such a relief to see you guys doing a great part to combat wildlife exploitation!&quot; a delighted <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12715475/page/2?post_id=180955558">Catherine Yasuda</a> exclaimed.</p>
<p>
Though some questioned the ban on vintage items, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12715475/page/3?post_id=180929185">Etsy said</a> &quot;the risk that the legal status of these items may be unknown or mislabeled is too great, and the continued sale of these items stands to perpetuate market demand and further jeopardize the existence of these species.&quot;</p>
<p>
Many suggested Etsy could do more to crack down on the sale of items containing animal parts. As it stands, halting the trade of many such items has struck a chord in the Etsy community.&nbsp;</p>
<p>
<em>Photo via </em><a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/61129849/miniature-noahs-ark-with-60-animals?ref=sr_gallery_18&amp;ga_search_query=noahs+ark&amp;ga_order=most_relevant&amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;ga_ship_to=CA&amp;ga_ref=auto1&amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;ga_facet=noahs+ark"><em>ArksAndAnimals</em></a><em>/Etsy</em></p>
kris@dailydot.com (Kris Holt)Wed, 24 Jul 2013 13:28:03 +0000http://www.dailydot.com/business/etsy-endangered-animal-ban/EtsyBusiness